Veterinarians hoping to practice on the Island will now have to hold registration in either the US, Canada, or the European Union, it has been learned.

All ten members of the newly-formed Bermuda Veterinarian Association -- in a May 1 letter to the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. John Barnes and obtained by The Royal Gazette -- have backed the requirement, pointing out those standards have been observed for the past 35 years anyway.

"It is the unanimous opinion of the currently registered Bermudian veterinarians, in practice on the Island, that this standard has served us well and should continue to apply.'' The BVA's decision, meanwhile, throws into question recent moves by former Government veterinarian trainee, Dr. Susann Smith, who was let go from her contract with Personnel Services in April, after failing on four attempts to pass her US licencing board exams.

From a position that was created for the Tuskegee University vet-med grad, it was widely hoped Dr. Smith would move up and into former Government vet Dr.

Neil Burnie's shoes. But in order to qualify for the post, Dr. Smith had to first qualify as a practicing private veterinarian; hence the need to pass the National Board Examination.

Unable to complete those requirements, Dr. Smith last month travelled to Jamaica, where all that is required to practice on the Island is graduation from a recognised university. Upon her return she applied to register as a practicing veterinarian.

It appears, however, Dr. Smith's Jamaican credentials won't be enough to win her the Government vet's seat.

"Persons training in jurisdictions other than the above listed,'' writes the BVA, "would be expected either to have passed board examinations in one of those countries or otherwise be in possession of such qualifications as would entitle them to registration in one of the above jurisdictions.'' The Island's vet community have been caught off-guard and in the middle of the controversy that has surrounded Dr. Smith's termination.

"The vets as a group are not anti-Susann Smith,'' Mr. Barnes yesterday told The Royal Gazette . "They just want to safeguard the integrity of their profession. They don't want the lowest standards to become the norm.'' And the President of the BVA, Dr. Andrew Madeiros, says the Association is only moving to formalise longstanding practice. "Like all other professions on the Island we feel our's should be self regulating. This is just a way of formalising our position.'' The Association has written to Dr. Smith, offering her the chance to meet with them and discuss the controversy.