GDS France (Fédération nationale des groupements de défense sanitaire) (GDS France)

The national federation of French animal-health defence groups (GDS), founded in 1954 (Fédération nationale des GDS). GDS are farmers' associations at departmental, inter-departmental or regional level, present in every department and region; since 2014 the regional federations (FRGDS) have been the state-recognised animal-health bodies (OVS, Code rural L201-9). GDS France represents farmers on animal-health issues before the ministry and other organisations, manages national mutual funds for disease losses and provides services to the GDS. Set up originally against foot-and-mouth disease and tuberculosis, it now covers all farm species (ruminants, pigs, bees, fish, horses, poultry).

Umbrella body: farmers are members of their departmental GDS, not of GDS France; membership is voluntary, but most livestock keepers are members. By law a body recognised as OVS must accept any keeper of animals within its scope (Code rural R201-13).

Farmers pay nothing directly to GDS France; the fee is set and collected by the departmental GDS, and the federation publishes no amount.

• Animal-health representation before the ministry (DGAL) and professional bodies
• National mutual funds for farms hit by animal disease
• Coordination of joint control programmes (e.g. BVD), expertise, regulatory monitoring
• Training, communication and analytical reference for the GDS network
• Map with contacts of the departmental GDS

• gdsfrance.org — Présentation générale
• gdsfrance.org — Notre réseau
• gdsfrance.org — Organisme à vocation sanitaire (OVS)
• gdsfrance.org — Nos missions
• gdsfrance.org — Contact
• Légifrance — Code rural, L201-7 à L201-13 (OVS, L201-9)
• Légifrance — Code rural, R201-12 à R201-17 (reconnaissance des OVS)