The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted and published its first global strategy for animal welfare, as announced in a press release on Wednesday.
The strategy, which was first endorsed by OIE member countries at the fourth OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare in December 2016 in Guadalajara, Mexico, outlines the organization’s current and future strategies for promoting animal welfare globally. OIE’s animal welfare strategy is stated as focused on the following vision: “A world where the welfare of animals is respected, promoted and advanced, in ways that complement the pursuit of animal health, human well-being, socio-economic development and environmental sustainability.”
The organization’s strategy is based around four “pillars” described as follows:
- Development of animal welfare standards with contribution from international experts and based on relevant scientific research, with a focus on achieving positive animal welfare outcomes.
- Capacity building and education with training and guidance within member countries for veterinarians and delegates.
- Communication with governments, organizations, and the public to increase awareness of animal welfare and the OIE animal welfare standards.
- Implementation of animal welfare standards and policies in member countries, with support and OIE recommendations for policy development and legislation.
The strategy document additionally discusses the future activities planned by the OIE to support the four pillars. These activities include:
- Creating a forum with animal welfare researchers; food-animal sector representatives; and global animal welfare movement representatives for discussions regarding animal welfare education, issues, and guidance.
- Developing and implementing science-based animal welfare standards in member countries.
- Supporting the development of Regional Animal Welfare Strategies (RAWS) by member countries and working towards harmonization of welfare outcomes.
- Enhancing the capabilities and coordination of competent authorities and veterinarians in member countries.
- Promoting inter-disciplinary collaboration in the interest of strengthening the science of animal welfare.
The OIE’s current animal welfare standards may be found in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code – Section 7, with the standards for broiler chickens being found in Chapters 7.10 and 7.5. A link to the OIE Global Animal Welfare Strategy may be found here, and a link to the OIE Animal Welfare Portal may be found here.
