The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised its National Veterinary Accreditation Program.

Accredited veterinarians carry out many animal health programs and services–including animal inspections, testing, and certifications. Accredited veterinarians serve as the first line of defense in ensuring the health of the nation's livestock. Businesses that transport and export animals also rely on the expertise of accredited veterinarians to help ensure that exported animals will not introduce diseases into other states or countries

"The NVAP program leverages non-government-employed veterinarians' medical expertise, as well as their relationships in the communities and industries they serve, to help USDA more effectively provide regulated animal health services," said John Clifford, DVM, APHIS veterinary services deputy administrator. "The revisions to this important program will help better protect U.S. animal health in the face of current complexities in business, trade, and travel."

The new program creates two accreditation categories based on the species on which accredited duties will be performed in place of a former single category. It includes requirements for supplemental online training to ensure accredited veterinarians receive the latest information necessary to support APHIS' animal health safeguarding efforts