TAWS/TAA/BVA workshop - April 15th 2004 (UK)

[Guest guest]

Haribol all. Following is a brief report on the proceedings about the above

workshop. In about a weeks time there will be a more intensive report on the

TAWS website.

 

 

TAWS - World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies.

 

On the 15th of April 2004 ISKCON was invited to attend a workshop in the

area of traction animal welfare. The meeting was in the impressive setting

of Silsoe Research Institute in Bedfordshire 50miles north of London. The

institute researches different elements of modern farming and production

systems and has its base in a magnificent Country Mansion placed in

extensive grounds and buildings.

 

The Keynote address was by Lord Soulsby, a member of the House of Lords, who

gave a very informative presentation on the link between animal welfare and

the welfare of people particularly in the African Continent. He also alerted

the participants to the dire predicament of this part of the world as a

consequence of the spread HIV-aids, which was set to fatally effect 20% of

the population. He noted that endeavours to develop animal traction would be

effected by the growing epidemic. On a side point and perhaps somewhat

tongue in cheek he was predicting that as a consequence of insufficient

support for agriculture in the British Government for a number of years

there may be a need to return to animal traction in the UK. Some in the

audience expressed the desire for this prediction to come about.

 

Another speaker discussed the amount of animal cultivation, which would be

ideal for the best results from land cultivation. This was a somewhat

dissatisfying presentation as it seemed to be leading down the herbicide,

petrochemical and finally the GM route.

 

Paul Starkey a world authority on animal traction development then gave an

interesting resume of animal systems currently employed around the world.

Paul has extensive experience in this field having visited over 120

countries. It was fascinating to see the spectrum of uses of animal

traction. In some places it was more economic to use oxen for tourism in the

hauling of bus wagons than it was for petrol engines.

 

John Smales (ex Brigadier) Chief Executive of the International League for

the Protection of Horses, ILPH then presented in a thorough and humorous way

considerations for inter charity cooperation and what to watch out for.

 

Next came a presentation by Jorg Bremond on the utilisation of a German 3

Pad ox harness.

 

Drew Conroy, then gave a detailed presentation on suitable yoking of oxen

and the types of considerations to bare in mind. He gave a number of

practical applications and modifications dependant on the area of use and

the types of oxen employed.

 

Following came a presentation about donkey harnessing and then a

presentation about the work of the centre of ox history in France. They are

documenting and presenting the history of the methods and practice of

working oxen. They are concerned that the information is not lost but rather

is preserved.

 

After lunch there was a demonstration of a team of donkeys ploughing and

then there was a modern hitch cart with mounted engine and 3pt linkage

presented. The engineer behind the power cart was inviting orders for the

tool, which would enable animal dependant farmers to drive modern farm

machinery with the draft retained by the animals.

 

In the afternoon the body was divided into three groups for a discussion. 1.

Working with other welfare groups. 2. Harnessing. 3. Transportation. Each

group then reported on practical proposals to address their areas of

discussion.

 

 

Now the question is from an ISKCON perspective what was gained and what is

to be gained in such workshops.

 

What did we gain?

1. Networking. By attending the meeting we were able to make contact

with a significant number of persons who feel passionate about animal

traction. Albeit they do not share our philosophical perspective about the

need to protect animals for their whole life yet we are singing from the

same song sheet regarding the importance of animal traction.

2. We met people who appreciated our dedication to work oxen and wanted

us to participate in various functions

3. There were people who had various skills and vast experience who we

could call on as required

4. ISKCON became associated with a number of third world development

agencies

5. Participants were interested in visiting Bhaktivedanta Manor and

seeing the working farm.

 

What is to be gained?

1. An on going opportunity to give input to world development agencies

in ox dependency

2. Networking/meeting other similar minded bodies

3. Gaining knowledge of resources and possible funding

4. Bhaktivedanta Manor farm may be able to play a role as an

ox-training centre for oversees development students.

5. Influencing a different area of society in a number of ways.

 

Maybe others may have further points about what could be gained by ISKCONS

involvement in this area.

 

Their website is www.taws.org

 

 

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