Sponsors

ESCCAP appreciates the valuable support given by our Ruby and Sapphire Sponsors which demonstrates their commitment to the welfare of companion animals and their owners. ESCCAP also acknowledges Novartis Animal Health Inc and Bayer Animal Health GmbH, now part of Elanco Animal Health, for taking the initiative to begin this group.

The work of ESCCAP would not be possible without the financial support of industry partners. Their backing enables us to produce resources to support the veterinary community in Europe. ESCCAP relies on its reputation for independence, impartiality and a commitment to the highest standards of companion animal care and our members recognise that accepting funding from external organisations for core activity is something that needs to be approached with caution. The organisation accepts sponsorship from a wide range of companies and is not reliant on a single one. The support is solely used to administer ESCCAP’s public relations work and to provide the required financial needs for ESCCAP publications and communication/meetings between ESCCAP members.

ESCCAP members receive honoraria for their work on ESCCAP committees. The ESCCAP Secretariat is independent and no ESCCAP member is an employee of any of the sponsors.

Clear guidance on how ESCCAP works with the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries, in the best interests of the organisation and its end users, is set out in its Sponsorship Policy.

CONTEXT

ESCCAP works with companies with an interest in veterinary care, whilst always maintaining its independence. ESCCAP believes it is important to co-operate with companies that manufacture, provide and market products and services applicable to the field of veterinary parasitology.

It is imperative that the high-quality information provided by ESCCAP is not influenced by the acceptance of sponsorship. ESCCAP would withdraw from any initiative that risks jeopardising this stance.

ESCCAP would not embark upon, or continue with, any sponsorship arrangement or collaborative venture which might damage its reputation.

ESCCAP reserves the right to refuse any promotion/sponsorship arrangement which it feels would not be in-keeping with its position as a not-for-profit organisation seeking to protect the health of pets, enhance the safety of the public and preserve the human–animal bond.

ESCCAP values an evidence-based approach and bases its recommendations on scientific evidence of effectiveness.

All of ESCCAP’s directors and members have recognised expertise in the field of veterinary parasitology and each publication is reviewed by this panel of experts before release (ESCCAP’s publications include guidelines, modular guide series, fact sheets, maps and parasite life cycles). A full list of ESCCAP’s directors and members can be found here. As part of the consultation process, each member has the opportunity to share unpublished drafts with members of their national association. Each national association operates independently on a local level and is also made up of leaders in veterinary parasitology, companion animal medicine and veterinary public health within that country or region of Europe. Each of ESCCAP’s publications is therefore extensively reviewed before being signed off for release (Figure 1 ).

TRANSPARENCY

Current sponsors and donors are published on ESCCAP’s website under Sponsors. The benefits of sponsorship packages are published in the ESCCAP Sponsorship Proposal, also on this page.

Any members with a paid/contractual relationship or conflict of interest with a commercial or potential partnership organisation are obliged to inform the ESCCAP directors.

ESCCAP’s industry partners are well-informed about veterinary practices in Europe and the current marketplace, and at times offer invaluable input. From April 2023, all comments and suggestions made on ESCCAP’s documents by industry partners will be available on request from the ESCCAP Secretariat following the publication of each new guideline edition.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ESCCAP AND ITS SPONSORS

ESCCAP accepts financial support from pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies on the following conditions:

There are strong grounds for believing it will result in benefit to pets and members of the public.
The organisation is satisfied that accepting support does not adversely affect its independent status/reputation.
Ruby sponsors have an opportunity to review and comment on ESCCAP’s guidelines prior to publication, in accordance with ESCCAP’s byelaws (Figure 1). However, ESCCAP retains full editorial control over all publications and printed materials sponsored by any company or companies and maintains the copyright.
Where sponsorship for an event or conference includes a speaking slot, the organising committee or ESCCAP representative retain(s) full editorial control. Any sessions proposed by the sponsor cannot be promotional.
ESCCAP must be consulted wherever and whenever its name is used, for both internal and external communications.
ESCCAP’s logo cannot be used by companies without written approval.
Press releases which refer to ESCCAP cannot be issued by external organisations without prior approval. Suggested quotes may be drafted but cannot be used without agreement from ESCCAP.
Sponsors are not permitted to publicise their support of ESCCAP if it might appear that ESCCAP is endorsing a specific product. ESCCAP materials cannot be used alongside any product which might imply that ESCCAP is recommending its use.

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

ESCCAP is supported by a number of partner organisations who agree with its aims and objectives and share its purpose of protecting animal and human health. ESCCAP’s supporting organisations, most of whom also rely upon the financial support of industry partners, can be found on ESCCAP’s website under Supporting Organisations.

Figure 1: ESCCAP Guideline Creation & Revision Process

ESCCAP Guideline Creation and Revision Process