Your Responsibility for Compliance 



The Animal Health Protection Act governs the accreditation of veterinarians as 

 codified in 9 CFR parts 160 and 161. As an accredited veterinarian, you should 

 familiarize yourself with these regulations because you are obliged to comply with 

 these standards. Noncompliance can result in violations and possible administrative, 

 civil, or criminal action. The following are a few examples of violations of the 

 veterinary accreditation standards identified in 9 CFR 161.3 that IF.S investigators 

 may cite: 



• 161.3(b) — Failing to complete an official form accurately and fully. Submitting 

 incomplete forms or leaving sections blank is a violation. 



• 161.3(d) — Failing to perform an official test and to submit specimens. Submitting 

 fraudulent blood samples for official testing is a violation. 



• 161.3(h) — Failing to keep oneself currently informed on regulations pertaining to 

 procedures applicable to disease control and eradication programs. 



• 161.3(j) — Failing to ensure the security and proper use of official certificates, 

 reports, tags, and similar items or documents issued to you. Allowing an 

 unauthorized person such as an owner or a broker to issue official certificates is a 

 violation. 



Actions and Penalties 



All pertinent case-file information is compiled by IBS and evaluated by VS officials. 

 The AVIC, in cooperation with the State animal health official, determines the 

 appropriate action for cases involving violations of Veterinary Accreditation Program 

 regulations. USDA may carry out one or more of the following actions: 



• Provide written notification when the accredited veterinarian has not complied 

 with the Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties; 



• Hold an informal conference; and/or 



• Proceed with an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge. 



USDA will then determine the final disposition and penalties, if applicable, and may 

 take one or more of the following actions: 



• Issue a written notice of warning; 



• Suspend or revoke veterinary accreditation; and/or 



• Assess civil or criminal penalties. 



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