Key role of the local veterinary administration in combating infectious diseases of wild animals: New duties vs. old habits in the context of the Animal Health Law

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the field of animal health, ‘Animal Health Law’, changed the rules for combating infectious diseases of animals, in particular of non-domesticated species. An in-depth legal research by the authors revealed certain features of combat against transmissible diseases in wild animals. New normative regulations are presented, confronted, and evaluated. The authors conclude that the European law has changed the content of national statutes, although their literal wording has remained unchanged. Different definitions and designations of veterinary surgeons in the Animal Health Law are discussed. An algorithm of conduct aimed at the uniformity of the work of public veterinary administration is presented. New duties and the need for high legal competences of the District Veterinary Officer are discussed. The effectiveness and consistency of the regulations are assessed. Interpretational and legislative postulates are indicated.