1.The training of veterinary surgeons shall comprise a total of at least five years of full-time theoretical and practical study, which may in addition be expressed with the equivalent ECTS credits, at a university or at a higher institute providing training recognised as being of an equivalent level, or under the supervision of a university, covering at least the study programme referred to in point 5.4.1 of Annex V.
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 57c concerning the amendment of the list set out in point 5.4.1 of Annex V with a view to adapting it to scientific and technical progress.
The amendments referred to in the second subparagraph shall not entail an amendment of existing essential legislative principles in Member States regarding the structure of professions as regards training and conditions of access by natural persons. Such amendments shall respect the responsibility of the Member States for the organisation of education systems, as set out in Article 165(1) TFEU.
2.Admission to veterinary training shall be contingent upon possession of a diploma or certificate entitling the holder to enter, for the studies in question, university establishments or institutes of higher education recognised by a Member State to be of an equivalent level for the purpose of the relevant study.
3.Training as a veterinary surgeon shall provide an assurance that the professional in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills:
knowledge of the sciences on which the activities of a veterinary surgeon are based and of the EU law relating to those activities;
adequate knowledge of the structure, functions, behaviour and physiological needs of animals, as well as the skills and competences needed for their husbandry, feeding, welfare, reproduction and hygiene in general;
the clinical, epidemiological and analytical skills and competences required for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of animals, as well as to assess and manage pain, safely perform aseptic surgery, sedation, anaesthesia and euthanasia, whether considered individually or in groups, including specific knowledge of the diseases which may be transmitted to humans;
adequate knowledge, skills and competences for preventive medicine, including competences relating to biosecurity, inquiries and certification;
adequate knowledge of the hygiene and technology involved in the production, manufacture and putting into circulation of animal feedstuffs or foodstuffs of animal origin intended for human consumption, including the skills and competences required to understand and explain good practice in this regard;
the knowledge, skills and competences required for the responsible and sensible use of veterinary medicinal products, in order to treat animals and to ensure the safety of the food chain and the protection of the environment;
adequate knowledge and understanding of the One Health concept, including skills and competences for its application and integration in veterinary public health;
knowledge of the organisation and management related to a veterinary business, including practice management and animal health economics; adequate knowledge, skills and competences on interpersonal and interprofessional interaction, communication, teamworking and multi-disciplinary collaboration;
adequate knowledge of data management, information technology and digital technologies, and the skills and competences necessary for their practical application in the veterinary domain.