Guest guest Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 4th Pan Commonwealth Conference, BARBADOS 4-8 November 2007 REPORT on ANIMAL WELFARE OUTCOMES Prepared by PETER THORNBER Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 1 of 20 Table of contents PETER THORNBER - Introduction and Welfare..................................................................... ................... 2 DAVID WILKINS - Global Perspective................................................................. ....................................... 2 DAVID WILKINS and ABDUL RAHMAN - OIE: Leading the Development of International Animal Welfare Guidelines.................................................................. ...................................................................... 3 DAVID MAIN - Veterinary Education and Animal Welfare..................................................................... ... 4 OLIVER RYAN - Animal Welfare: A consideration for developing countries........................................ 5 LILA MILLER - Veterinarian's role in handling animal abuse................................................................. 6 DAVID WILKINS - Natural Disasters and welfare..................................................................... ................. 6 SEAN WENSLEY - Perceptions of the Veterinary Profession's role in Animal Welfare....................... 7 KERSTI SEKSEL -........................................................................... ............................................................ 8 Monica List - Animal Welfare in the Mexican Veterinary Curriculum ..................................................... 8 ROBIN VANDEGRAAFF - Australian approach to delivering animal welfare in farm animals ............ 9 CHESTER GIPSON - USA perspective on animal welfare issues and challenges.............................. 10 WORKING GROUPS ON REGIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES.......................................................... 11 Working Groups - UK/Falklands/Mediterranean.................................................. ................................ 11 United Kingdom (UK) ............................................................................. ............................................. 11 Falkland Islands ............................................................................. .................................................... 11 Infrastructure impediments................................................................. .............................................. 12 Working Group - Combined East, Central and West Africa CVA regions.............................................. 13 Vision: ............................................................................. ......................................................................... 13 Preamble:................................................................... ............................................................................. 13 Issues/problems............................................................. ........................................................................ 13 Key Infrastructure issues ............................................................................. ........................................... 14 Solutions................................................................... ............................................................................. .. 14 Working Group - the Caribbean region...................................................................... ................................ 15 Administration arrangements: ............................................................................. ................................... 15 Laws are either very deficient or non existing ............................................................................. ......... 15 Trained welfare inspectors.................................................................. ................................................... 15 Education respect AW:......................................................................... .................................................. 15 Disease control issues - humane killing. ............................................................................. ................. 15 Working Group - Australasia and Oceania..................................................................... ........................... 16 Australia................................................................... ............................................................................. ... 16 Pacific Island Nations (Solomon Islands, PNG, Cook Islands, Fiji, East Timor) .............................. 17 Laws ............................................................................. ....................................................................... 17 Education................................................................... ........................................................................ 18 Training ............................................................................. .................................................................. 18 Veterinarians in the Pacific..................................................................... ........................................... 18 Tourism..................................................................... ......................................................................... 18 Action by CVA ............................................................................. ....................................................... 19 Disease control issues ............................................................................. .......................................... 19 Way Ahead....................................................................... ............................................................................ 19 Global Issues...................................................................... .................................................................... 19 How to make improvements? ............................................................................. .................................... 20 What resources are available?.................................................................. ............................................. 20 Role of the CVA?........................................................................ ............................................................ 20 Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 2 of 20 Day 1 PETER THORNBER - Introduction and Welfare Animal Welfare Session Convenor .. He thanked the CVA, Barbados Vet Assoc and organising committee .. Made special thanks to the WSPA that sponsored 3 key speakers .. Indicated that animal welfare is a complex issue and that everyone has an opinion about animal welfare (so 'managing animal welfare was like trying to walk in a hammock!') .. Welfare has taken on new prominence and importance in the world and was a core issue for governments, veterinarians and the community .. Animal rights groups were driving local and global agendas and many existing practices and paradigms were being challenges, largely driven by biased media o E.g. undertaking painful surgical or husbandry procedures without analgesia o Loss of connection between metropolitan-based consumers and farmers (don't understand livestock husbandry practices) .. So it is very important to engage all key stakeholders (vets, farmers, NGOs, etc) in dealing with animal welfare issues and work together to reach consensus (work with all reasonable people - reasonable means able to compromise to reach consensus o Need effective communication plans and systems and provision of balanced information rather than biased animal rights campaign propaganda or biased media reports o Need appropriate sustainable animal welfare standards and effective implementation and enforcement systems o Education and training is important and fundamental o Research and science-underpinning of welfare standards DAVID WILKINS - Global Perspective .. Talked about WSPA's work activities and consultative arrangements with various international organizations (e.g. OIE, EU, UN) .. Difference between animal welfare, animal rights and animal liberation o WSPA is an animal welfare organization .. He stressed the importance of science underpinning welfare guidelines and standards (though final policies will take other factors into consideration such as moral, ethics, religions, values, economics) .. He discussed the WSPA 'Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)' that captures the concept that animal welfare is a theme for all nations Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 3 of 20 o Complementary to the work of the OIE in improving animal welfare outcomes through international guidelines (OIE 2007 passed resolution supporting in principle the UDAW o UDAW is focused on sentient animals (capacity for feelings, including pain and pleasure - implies a level of awareness, vertebrates) o It supports UN and CVA goals on alleviation of poverty, inequality, millennium goals, scientific understanding .. WSPA is working on special welfare issues such as killing of cetaceans, long distance transport to slaughter, farming of bears in China for harvesting bile, etc, rescue of animals in natural disasters like floods, etc .. He indicated that support from the veterinary profession to improve animal welfare was essential .. Need to be proactive rather than reactive .. Engage all key parties in dialogue DAVID WILKINS and ABDUL RAHMAN - OIE: Leading the Development of International Animal Welfare Guidelines (paper from David Bayvel in Proceedings) .. David Wilkins outlined the development of animal welfare guidelines by OIE that has been the key international animal health standard-setting body under the World Trade Organization o OIE has taken up the lead role of extending its charter to include animal welfare o OIE has to reach consensus from its 167 Member countries and animal welfare guidelines are not binding under WTO, like animal health standards o As David Bayvel, Chair of the OIE Permanent Animal Welfare Working Group would say - improvements by evolution, not revolution! .. Guidelines have been developed and agreed for land transport, sea transport, humane slaughter and killing for disease control. .. Recent work has focused on animal housing guidelines, laboratory animal standards and Dog population control (as an adjunct to control rabies in endemic regions) .. Use of OIE Guidelines will assist developing countries in developing local policies on particular issues (e.g responsible pet ownership as part of dog population control efforts) .. A highly successful 2003 Paris Welfare Conference reaffirmed OIE;s lead role in establishing international animal welfare standards (proceedings on OIE website) .. A second OIE Welfare Conference is planned for Cairo in October 2008 Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 4 of 20 DAVID MAIN - Veterinary Education and Animal Welfare .. RCVS oath by veterinarians includes prime consideration of animal welfare, but critics (David Coffey) believe veterinarians have sold out their principles in may instances to appease clients, etc .. David outlined an approach to teaching welfare to undergraduate students including learning outcomes in 3 broad areas: o Animal welfare science o Animal welfare ethics o Animal welfare legislation and standards. .. Uses multi approach of exposing students to ethical questions around clinical and surgical cases o 20 hrs in first year of the veterinary course, including discussion of controversial issues o In 3rd year, more in-depth consideration of welfare issues associated with welfare science and law o Final year - apply welfare assessment of clinical and surgical cases o Have an ethical liaison officer for students to be the bridge between welfare criticism/concern and teaching staff procedures .. He talked about welfare assessment e.g. caged hens versus free range production systems o Definitions of welfare, concepts: Physical - are they fit? (sub-clinical disease impacts?) Mental - are they happy? Natural - e.g. are chickens doing what chickens do? .. Use of 5 Freedoms as a good basis for students to assess welfare. Present in terms of 'duty of care' to ensure animals are: o free from Hunger and thirst o free from Discomfort o free from Pain, injury, disease o free to express normal behaviour o free from Fear and distress and have company of own species .. also when evaluating production systems, evaluate 'inputs' (stockmanship, breed/genetics for production system, housing type) and 'outputs' (physical observation assessments, record keeping, etc) .. talked about 'intrinsic' (sow stalls, farrowing crates) welfare issues and 'avoidable' welfare issues (tail biting, dairy cow lameness) Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 5 of 20 .. welfare improvement from all angles: o educate - inspire - good quality advice to animal owners o encourage - incentive - benchmarking and incentives to improve o enforce - insist outcome base certification (Quality assurance schemes) .. get students to think from the 'cows' point of view - needs .. get students to think from the farmer's point of view - motivations for changing practices .. think from 'bigger' picture - politics of change .. Talked about WSPA 'Concepts in Animal Welfare Course (30 hours) .. Evaluation of the Concepts in Animal Welfare teaching approach o Important feedback in respect of knowledge, skills, desire/attitudes o Female vet students more empathetic throughout course o Males empathy wanes through 5 years (concern if they were to use less pain relief in routine surgery as a result) OLIVER RYAN - Animal Welfare: A consideration for developing countries .. International Finance Corporation and World Bank www.ifc.org o Largest private investor in emerging countries o Funded by member countries .. Recognised need for animal welfare as part of business consideration in livestock projects and how good welfare means improved animal productivity and business profitability .. Works closely with OIE (see proceedings) .. Take welfare into consideration in approval of projects in developing countries from a 'business case' perspective. .. 2 Information Flyers: o Good Practice Note - Animal Welfare in Livestock Operations o Creating Business Opportunity through improved Animal Welfare. Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 6 of 20 LILA MILLER - Veterinarian's role in handling animal abuse .. Presented a comprehensive outline of links between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence and the ethical challenge for veterinarians to report clients when they suspect animal abuse. .. Legal and business issues in reporting clients .. Explored the interpretation and definitions of: o Cruelty o Abuse o Neglect o Animal hoarding. .. Discussed approaches to handling cases of suspect animal abuse and what evidence should be gathered and evaluated: o Chain of custody of the evidence o Photography o Medical records DAVID WILKINS - Natural Disasters and welfare .. Outlined WSPA's interest and role in dealing with animal welfare in natural disasters o One quarter of the global poor, are livestock keepers! .. Coordinated from London Head Office with 7 strategic offices around the world .. Disaster response framework has been developed by WSPA that to alleviate the consequences of disasters that involves risk reduction (advance planning) and response (relief and recovery operations) .. Risk reduction involves identifying threats, measuring risks and making contingency plans .. Need to work with governments and relevant departments, local veterinarians and other humanitarian agencies (Humane Society International, etc) .. Work is undertaken on developing early warning systems to mobilize help logistics arrangements for making people aware of arrangements for animals, stockpiling food and water, identifying livestock and making evacuation plans. .. Outlined some of WSPA's case studies (Tsunami in Indonesia, amazon floods, with a Particular case study was a major earthquake in Pakistan: Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 7 of 20 o Phase 1 - provide livestock shelters./animal health-euthanasia services o Phase 2 - recover the veterinary services (provide equipment, drugs, etc) o Phase 3 - Workshops on livestock husbandry, building earthquake resistant shelters .. The British Veterinary Association maintains a database of vets prepared to assist in natural disasters and happy to add others to the list (from other Commonwealth Countries). SEAN WENSLEY - Perceptions of the Veterinary Profession's role in Animal Welfare .. It is OK to use animals, but there is a moral obligation to ensure humane treatment .. Good treatment of animals is a 'global hallmark' of societies .. Discussed various definitions of animal welfare .. Interdisciplinary animal welfare community involving lawyers, politicians, consumers, vets, welfare scientists, farmers, etc .. Talked about OIE and WVA approach of the need for 'science' to underpin welfare guidelines .. Veterinary education traditionally has focused on animal health rather than the broader ambit of 'behaviour' and 'needs' .. Questioned whether vets were working closely enough with welfare scientists .. Discussed the results from a survey completed by animal welfare scientists and veterinarians about the veterinary profession's role in animal welfare .. Concluded the need for increased animal welfare training for veterinary undergraduates and more focus on animal behaviour .. Needs to be better communication and application of animal welfare research .. Animal welfare science must supplement veterinary credentials in animal health .. Vets are front line and need to develop 'an animal welfare culture' as part of their training and business approaches Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 8 of 20 KERSTI SEKSEL - .. Discussed the important link between animal behaviour and animal welfare and how behavior is used as a marker in determining the welfare of animals .. Behaviour is complex and involves not only what an animal does, but also when, how, where and why it does the behaviour. .. Behaviour is linked to three main factors o genetics - inherited tendencies or predisposition to exhibit particular behaviours o learning - previous experience and what it has learned o environment - situation the animal is in .. Many disciplines such as ethology, psychology, involved in various aspects of behaviour of animals .. Discussed the five freedoms, developed by the Bramble Committee in 1965, that are still used today as an indication of welfare: o Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition o freedom from discomfort due to the environment o Freedom from pain, injury and disease o Freedom to express normal behaviour for the species o Freedom from fear and distress .. Discussed Australia's comprehensive approach to improving animal welfare through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws .. Discussed the importance of understanding normal behaviour before you can recognize abnormal behaviour .. Also, how abnormal behviour can be an indicator of health problems or pain (e.g. lameness in dairy cattle) Monica List - Animal Welfare in the Mexican Veterinary Curriculum .. Discussed the World Society for the Protection of Animal's (WSPA) mission in the Mexico/Caribbean Region, priorities and the vision for animal welfare .. Mexico was the first country in the Americas to establish a veterinary school in 1853, less than 100 years after the first veterinary school was established in Europe in Lyon .. Welfare components in the veterinary curriculum are increasing worldwide, in response to efforts from OIE, WVA, WSPA and others o some infrastructure difficulties in many countries, such as English learning difficulties, internet access o student perceptions of cognition and humaneness across species Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 9 of 20 .. WSPA developed a training package called 'Concepts in Animal Welfare', in collaboration with the University of Bristol o the CD rom package has a series of modules, with assessment instruments, etc .. Details of welfare subjects at Mexican universities was presented in the proceedings .. 'Leader faculties' have been established in each region in Mexico to work with regional institutions to assist in having consistent delivery of curriculum content. .. Called for better coordination and access by developing countries to animal welfare resources and the need for strengthened 'networking; among veterinary faculties ROBIN VANDEGRAAFF - Australian approach to delivering animal welfare in farm animals .. Outlined Australia's historical approach to animal welfare since the early 1980s based around model codes of practice that have then been implemented by states and territories .. Australia is a major exporter of agricultural produce and animal welfare has increasingly been seen as an important issue in livestock production and has a high political and community focus in Australia .. Following a review, Australia is now moving to Australian animal welfare standards and guidelines o Minimum standards be consistently regulated by all state/territory governments o Standards and guidelines/best practice will be incorporated into quality assurance (QA) programs managed by livestock Industries (i.e. coregulation by Industry as QA programs include external audit) o Standards must be outcome-based where possible and auditable o Livestock Industries must be fully engaged in the standard development process to ensure commitment o Legislation should be positive regulation based on management of production animals i.e. 'duty of care' rather than be based on negative regulation i.e. 'protection against cruelty' .. Existing model codes will now be reformed into the new national standards under a nationally agreed process, that included shared funding o This work is a key goal under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and seen as a national priority Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 10 of 20 CHESTER GIPSON - USA perspective on animal welfare issues and challenges .. He talked about animal welfare laws in the USA o Animal Welfare Act o Horse Act (based on Tennessee Walking Horse issues) o Humane Transport of Horses to Slaughter Act o Humane Slaughter Act (covering swine, cattle o Twenty-eight hour Law (1872) - every 28 hours of interstate transport, animals must be offloaded and given food and water and rested for 5 hours .. There are no Federal laws for livestock production animals - the responsibility of states and territories (see www.usa.gov for examples of State laws) o Laws vary across States e.g. Florida has banned sow stall housing .. Commodity groups have Certificate Programs (Quality Assurance) .. Livestock Industries are setting standards too o E,g. Smithfield piggeries are going to ban sow stalls over the next 10 years as a response to consumer demand, rather than Government regulation .. Voluntary Certification Programs are a growing trend and a number of commercial food companies require certain welfare standards of producers supplying animal products e.g. McDonalds, Burger King o Government support for the audit of these systems to ensure credibility .. Discussed the Food Animal Agriculture in 2020 annual seminar in USA and future trends in agriculture and the need to consider important questions such as: o How can welfare be improved without threatening animal production and food security? o What will be the global standards for welfare in 2020? o What will be the impact of biotechnology on welfare issues? .. He advised of the USA Government's Animal Welfare Information Center website: http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=3 & tax_level=1 Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 11 of 20 WORKING GROUPS ON REGIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES Working Groups - UK/Fauklands/Mediterranean United Kingdom (UK) New Animal Welfare Act in place .. policy is a considerable improvement on previous .. now also aims to stop suffering of animals before it occurs .. However, to be effective, a policy must be adequately implemented .. Need to continually monitor the situation to ensure adequate implementation of: o Education o Encouragement o enforcement .. Farm animal owners are more welfare aware than pet/horse owners e.g. obesity is a growing problem amongst dogs, cats, horses .. At specific level - continue to have mundane persistent issues: .. Lameness in dairy cows .. Lameness in sheep .. Tail biting in pigs .. Concern amongst many that in many instances, meat imported from outside the EU may come from animals that are not reared to equivalent welfare standards o This perception, be it true of false, has the effect of reducing the rate of welfare improvement in the UK o It reminds of need to strive for international commonality Falkland Islands .. 200,000 breeding ewes on exposed island and have 45% mortality rate of lambs in first week of life .. Concerned that a lot of mortality is a result of exposure to the elements o A welfare issue that needs resolution o Either shelter or no sheep Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 12 of 20 Infrastructure impediments UK is 1 of 27 member states that make up the EU UK welfare legislation exceeds welfare legislation within the EU However, we also feel that, as part of the EU, we are advancing animal welfare standards at a greater rate within the EU than would occur in that absence of the UK drive. Reminds us of the need for visual progress The International Veterinary Officer's Council (IVOC) consists of 6 countries (Australia, Canada, NZ, RSA, UK and USA). This Council can reach agreement on policy issues such as welfare and could be used to assist all CVA member countries. Media in UK - generally seek to sensationalise issues and genuine welfare issues become animal rights issues. Consequently, media tend to impede progress rather than accelerate it. Final comment - the British Vet Assoc prepares policy statements on specific animal welfare issues and these detail the BVA policy and reasons for it. However, those policy statements that exist, tend to be a reaction to events. We would like to see 2 additional elements. o Proactive production of specific policy positions o A high level policy statement such as signing up to a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare We see merit in developed countries sharing their policy statements with all other national veterinary associations so that each can adopt those appropriate and relevant to them. Such an action by the CVA would bring a greater uniformity to the national veterinary association's policy and promote and project a more 'single voice' veterinary profession. This is over and above what may be government policy in a member country. The BVA has a policy position on an issue that may or may not be in accord with Government policy: - a national veterinary association's policy should be based on science alone. A government's policy, is understandably based on a blend of science, politics, economics, social and environmental aspects. We strive in the UK to have a veterinary profession that speaks with a single voice. We see no reason why this should not be the aim of the CVA and its 53 Member countries. We exist to advise the government and not to make its decisions. ______________ Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 13 of 20 Working Group - Combined East, Central and West Africa CVA regions Vision: Animal welfare cannot be fully addressed when human welfare has not been taken care of! Preamble: We recognise that animal welfare issues are considered by our people as esoteric subjects. It is basically due to societal perception of the issues involved. We believe that African development which has been slow has not taken care of certain basic ingredients of life, so animal welfare issues are driven backstage by communities and governments because of lack of understanding of the issues involved. Issues/problems In our several communities we have identified the following problems: Low priority is given to animal welfare is several African countries because of low awareness and clouded perception of the issues involved. Where laws exist, they are not enforced by agents of government Transportation is very cruel in several African countries - overcrowding is the order of the day. Animals are confined in limited spaces and transported over very long distance, usually without any form of care Companion animals are generally maltreated, kenneled for days and nights (24/7) and when chained up, short chains are common Wildlife/wild animals are captures, bought home and treated very badly (e.g. parrots in small cages, monkeys tethered to trees, not fed well and severely restricted) Pet fish are kept in very small aquariums with low oxygen tension and improper feeding. Animals are generally starved by impoverished families who themselves do not have much to eat, sometimes forcing these animals to fend for themselves, thereby promoting the phenomenon of stray dogs/animals with its attendant consequences. Slaughtering practices are horrendous. Animals are slaughtered in a most cruel manner. Animal fights are promoted actively within most African communities - dog fights, sheep and goat fights are staged regularly. Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 14 of 20 Key Infrastructure issues Variable level of success in the operations of the SPCA, except in RSA, because of limited resources and the attitude of many African communities which consider them as a form of colonial legacy. Existing laws are not punitive enough and not enforced. Training at all levels does not address animal welfare issues, except in RSA, where limited training is provided. For example, most vets graduate without any formal training in animal welfare. No communication occurs at any level about the importance of animal welfare to communities Humane slaughter does not generally exist, as it conflicts with certain religions and cultural practices in Africa. No African country officially employs animal inspectors except in RSA. Solutions SPCA activities in African countries are recommended to be coordinated and energized so that communities are aware of its importance All national veterinary associations and relevant NGOs should be mobilized to promote public/private partnerships to foster the education of communities and public institutions on animal welfare issues Inclusion of animal welfare issues in all levels of education curricula from primary school to tertiary level Review existing laws where applicable to increase penalties and make them more consistent between countries Campaigns about animal welfare issues should be instituted by all stakeholders using print and electronic media, including traditional means of communication Raise political awareness about the importance of animal welfare, particularly the police and law enforcement agencies CVA to use an information platform (website) for countries to share knowledge and information about welfare achievements with other CVA members Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 15 of 20 Working Group - the Caribbean region Administration arrangements: Laws are either very deficient or non existing Need to provide a new legislation or admen the current legislation. Need of assistance to lobby this legislation with the help of regional NGOs, (E.g. WSPA). Trained welfare inspectors. Most islands have no trained officers. Need to set a regional training program. Education respect AW: Done in small scale, by grass root NGOs, but need to address in a National level. Need for government engagement (all animal groups). AW issues because of ignorance of needs vs. neglect. No legislation dealing with livestock. Need education. Disease control issues - humane killing. Related to stray population, Problem dealt for the Ministry of Health. Need for a humane destruction of these animals. Laws and enforcement of AW standards. Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 16 of 20 Working Group - Australasia and Oceania Australia Development and current implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (www.daff.gov.au/aaws) has addressed a lot of issues and it provides a useful template for other countries. Some specific important issues include: o Animal Welfare laws - current work to move from voluntary model codes to nationally consistent animal welfare standards that will be consistently regulated across all states and territories. Work is welladvanced on identifying what is needed from a legislation point of view to gain consistent implementation of national standards o Drought - immediate and ongoing problems associated with the very severe drought over 10 years in the eastern part of Australia (low rainfall, crop failure, reduced livestock numbers) o Wildlife - humane destruction of overpopulated wildlife in certain areas, exacerbated by the drought e.g. control of wild camel populations (estimated 600,000+ in central and northern Australia and population doubles every 6 years what are acceptable methods of population control and 'depopulation control' e.g. problems in public perceptions of mass shooting (though may be the most practical and humane method) To make progress, need stakeholders to work with governments and NGOS. Farmers are going through hardship imposed by drought with cumulated severe economic losses over continuing years. Not a good time to impose additional welfare measures o been hard for pastoral grazing farmers and also intensive farmers (pigs, poultry, beef feedlots) due to the high cost of grain and stockfeed. o New pressures on dairy industry due to lack of water for irrigated pastures in southern Australia - grazing has been the main form of feeding over recent years as the basis of milk production. The Cost of water (have to buy it!) is now very high. o perception that out to ruin farmers o low profit margins mean that farmers are not seeking veterinarians to assist with health issues as farmers cannot afford the services and slow to make improvements in animal welfare due to adjustment costs Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 17 of 20 in their businesses (e.g. cost of pain relief for mulesing surgical procedures to avoid blowfly strike) o lack of financial incentives (no production subsidies in Australia) for producers to adopt animal welfare measures o promotion of better welfare by veterinarians may be seen as selfpromoting Pacific Island Nations (Solomon Islands, PNG, Cook Islands, Fiji, East Timor) Laws Solomon Islands no prevention of cruelty to animal laws Some animal control through health regulators Animal welfare not a concept thought about by public or authorities PNG Lack of welfare laws and regulation Cook Islands Lack of welfare laws and regulation East Timor Lack of welfare laws and regulation Fiji Outdated prevention of cruelty to animal law (mid 1970s) All legislation currently being reviewed Role for CVA to assist with discussions with regulators and legislation drafters CVA convening a regional workshop in Apia November 2008 to consider New Zealand Animal Welfare Act as a potential regional model that could be adopted/adapted by regional countries as a 'model animal welfare bill' Some expatriates have links to animal welfare organizations in a number of countries, especially about small animal/companion animal issues Need to utilize Human Welfare acts/regulations to initiate some animal welfare improvements in some countries, as unlikely to develop specific animal welfare act in the immediate future Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 18 of 20 Education Common agreement that education and training was the most important way to make progress in animal welfare improvements Must begin with primary school children Animal welfare groups from other countries are likely to be the most effective way to facilitate animal welfare education across regional countries Education on disease recognition is also important (disease means animal suffer and need to improve disease recognition, diagnosis and reporting systems) o Better health/disease control will improve basic animal welfare of individual animals, groups of animals, villagers and households. Training In place in all countries e.g para veterinarians and animal officers Limited animal welfare promotion in training manuals and a universal need for more understanding and welfare content to ensure animal handlers and trainers are better aware and better trained in proper animal handling animal welfare Veterinarians in the Pacific Lack of trained veterinarians in all countries, especially in the field (e.g Fiji there are 11 veterinarians, but only 2 in the field at present - others in administration, etc) Tourism Maybe the new and most effective 'driver' to improve animal welfare in many Pacific Island tourist destinations e.g. Fiji, Cook Islands/others Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 19 of 20 Action by CVA Work more closely with Animal Welfare groups such as WSPA, RSPCA, etc) to get more volunteer veterinarians from other countries (esp Australia and New Zealand) to provide periods of clinical and surgical assistance and assist in developing longer-term health and welfare programs - Need greater promotion of the need for more volunteers and maybe link to other humanitarian groups Disease control issues Problem is no real control is possible without paying compensation e.g. compensation to slaughter diseased animals o Biosecurity - CVA could assist in promoting and working with neighbouring countries like Australia and New Zealand to reduce disease risks for those countries by reducing disease in Pacific Island nations (reduce risks off-shore) o Laboratory services - need laboratory support across all Pacific Island nations (SPC acting to improve this issue) o Some difficulties with terrain and access to many areas for disease surveilance Way Ahead Global Issues Variable infrastructure and lots of deficiencies o Laws, enforcement o Trained resources o Education, awareness o Communications on welfare issues and concerns o Limited incentives for improvement Lack of Funding to make improvements Lack of understanding of welfare issues by administrators, politicians Need to look at opportunities to work with high level national goals and Millenium goals and 'fit welfare into those programs' o One medicine' o Link welfare with animal health and public health initiatives Report of the Animal Welfare Session 4th Pan Commonwealth Page 20 of 20 How to make improvements? Identify existing material, plans, experts in other countries such as WSPA training programs, model welfare laws that could be adapted more broadly, strategic plans Incentives - how to create and gain political support? What resources are available? Veterinarians in CVA and other countries, paramedicals and other specialists. o CVA countries need to ask for help if they need expertise. Existing codes, standards, quality assurance/certification schemes in CVA countries that could be shared with developing members o Mostly applicable among countries within same region Laws that could be adapted? Training programs Education materials (WSPA others) National veterinary associations to assist in promoting developing country needs and working with CVA to assist in raising welfare issues with Governments that are providing aid programs in CVA countries World Bank strategy for next 20 years includes large investment in livestock/agriculture development Role of the CVA? Engage with WSPA and other NGOs to work in partnership on some of these issues to improve education, training, infrastructure o SPC in Fiji is an associate member of CVA and CVA should explore with WSPA and other NGOs to becoming Associate members of the CVA Opportunities for veterinarians in CVA developing countries to be sponsored to attend welfare training courses in CVA developed countries. Strategic partnerships with funding organisations like the World Bank Work with welfare education centres (e.g. BVA Welfare Sponsored Centre) to establish animal welfare training opportunities (twinning) in universities in developing countries, including distance education 'one health' opportunities to include welfare in animal and public health programs, capacity building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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