Veterinary Chamber Act. Country/Territory Austria Document type Legislation Date 2012 (2021) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleFederal Act on the Austrian Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons (Veterinary Chamber Act). Subject Livestock, General Keyword Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Offences/penalties Monitoring Institution Social protection Animal welfare Special fund Access-to-information Animal health Hygiene/sanitary procedures Drugs Geographical area Alps, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Western Europe Entry into force notes This Act comes into force on 1 July 2013. Abstract The Act provides for organisational and administrative order of the "Chamber of Veterinarians" that has its registered office in Vienna and is set up to represent members of the veterinary profession. The Chamber has the right for assessing the laws and regulations that are drafted at Federal level or at the European Union with regard to the areas of responsibility and operation of the Chamber. The Chamber's tasks as mentioned in Article 12 include supporting authorities in regulating veterinary matters and animal welfare, developing the veterinary medicine as well as the development of the animal health system and veterinary care; participation in combating drug abuse and combating improper treatment and illegal interventions in animals; and having the advisory and supportive participation in the development of animal hygiene, animal breeding, animal protection and food hygiene. The Chamber is in charge to safeguard and promote the common professional, social and economic interests of veterinarians and to protect their reputation and to make any necessary detailed regulations with regard to the exercise of their profession and professional obligations. The Act refers to representative body of the Chamber, delegates, officials, personnel and veterinarian society and rights and obligations of the members. The text further provides for the budget and costs for Chamber's work and organisation and the welfare fund as a pension fund for members and representatives. The Act consists of 6 major sector as follow: General Provisions (1); Organs (2); Organization of the Veterinary Association (3); Welfare Institutions (4); Disciplinary Law (5); Penal provisions (6). Full text German Website www.ris.bka.gv.at