The municipalities are responsible for organising a clinical veterinary stand-by service. The system with veterinary watch services is established in accordance with Act relating to veterinarians and other animal health personnel; no. 75 dated 15.6.2001.

The system with veterinary stand-by services shall ensure clinical stand-by services for veterinarians in all part of the country in such a way that necessary veterinary services can be provided outside of ordinary working hours. The services shall be managed by municipalities/inter-municipal organisations. The veterinary services are a necessary part of the stand-by arrangement preventing serious contagious animal diseases and are vital in order to maintain high quality welfare for animals.

Veterinary stand-by services have previously been awarded in accordance with an agreement between the Norwegian Veterinary Association (DNV) and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS). The agreement was concluded 01.07.2012.

In order to put the stand-by service into practice in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations, an ordinary procurement process shall be carried out where the purpose is to enter into a contract between the stand-by districts and the veterinarians.

160 stand-by districts have been established as well as five stand-by arrangements in urban areas. This contract includes delivery of veterinary stand-by services in Midt-Telemark (Bø, Nome, Sauherad and parts of Notodden).

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