Dr Tomoko Ishibashi Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific The Strategy of the OIE on Animal Welfare in Asian Region 1 Workshop on EU Legislation for Animal Welfare October 9-11, Seoul, R.O. Korea
Contents OIE s Standards on Animal Welfare System of OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare Raising awareness of the OIE and its AW standards Developing networks within the country and among members in the region Regional Animal Welfare Strategy Developing strategy and implementation plan Improving communication 2
Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda 2000: AW recognised as a strategic priority in the 3rd OIE Strategic Plan 2001-2005; 2002: Adoption by the General Assembly of National Delegates of a Resolution leading to the creation of an animal welfare working group (AWWG); 2003: Adoption of the General Principles; Terrestrial Code Ch. 7.1. 2004: First Global Conference on Animal Welfare - Paris 2004
Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda 2005: Adoption of the first Animal Welfare Standards: The transport of animals by land The transport of animals by sea The transport of animals by air The slaughter of animals for human consumption The killing of animals for disease control purposes 2008: 2nd OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare in Cairo, Egypt
Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda 2009: Adoption of new standards: The control of stray dog populations The welfare of farmed fish during transport 2009: Creation of new ad hoc Group ad hoc Group on AW & livestock production systems 2010: Adoption of new standards: Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption Use of animals for research and education 2012: Adoption of new standards Animal Welfare and beef cattle productions systems Killing of farmed fish for disease control purposes
Summary of Evolution 1. Transport Slaughter/Killing Production (how to move) (how to kill) (how to raise) 2. Terrestrail animals Aquatic animals For the moment, for farmed finfish only (not for molluscs and crustaceans) Need established scientific evidence that animals can feel pain!
National Focal Point for Animal Welfare In 2007, the World Assembly of Delegates recommends that countries immediately takes steps to advise the OIE of their national OIE animal welfare focal point to facilitate communication. ToR for OIE National Focal Point on Animal Welfare include: the responsibilities of the focal points are under the authority of the OIE Delegate to establish a network of animal welfare experts within his country to conduct the in-country consultation process with recognised animal welfare experts on draft texts proposed in OIE Commission reports and to prepare comments for the Delegate reflecting the scientific view and position of the individual OIE Member and/or the region 7 28 members have Animal Welfare Focal Point in A-P Region
Efforts in Capacity Building Following the OIE 4 th Strategic Plan 2006/2010 Provide capacity-building training of Country Delegates to the OIE and National OIE focal points in the country (contact persons for relations with the OIE) specialised in the following different fields: 1 2 3 4 sanitary information systems; animal production food safety; veterinary medicinal and biological products; aquatic animal diseases; 5 animal welfare ; 6 7 8 wildlife; veterinary service communication; and veterinary laboratory (pilot stage) Regional training started in 2008 8
2010 Training for Recently Appointed OIE Delegates and OIE National Focal Points in Asia WAHIS Wildlife Diseases Veterinary Products Animal Welfare Aquatic Animals Diseases Food Safety New Delegates 21 members participated. 5-7 October Bangkok (Thailand) 5-7 April Bangkok (Thailand) 12-14 October Singapore 8-9 April Bangkok (Thailand) Questionnaire result showed members need for OIE support in training & education, in particular slaughter of animals and stray dogs pop. control 9
2011 Training for Recently Appointed OIE Delegates and OIE National Focal Points in Asia WAHIS Wildlife Diseases Veterinary Products Animal Welfare Aquatic Animals Diseases Food Safety New Delegates 2 nd round! 12-14 April Beijing (China) 28-30 June Siem Reap (Cambodia) 30 Nov -2 Dec Tokyo (Japan) 19-21 April Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) 10
2 nd OIE Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare 30 Nov 2 Dec 2011 26 Members participated (improved from 21 in 2010) Only 7 Members sent the same personnel as in previous year Only 2 Members participated in neither 2010 nor 2011 Presentation topics Activities of Collaborating Centre Works of relevant organisations in support of the implementation of OIE standards (WSPA, Beef Cluster Co. Ltd., IMS) Killing animals for disease control purposes Religious slaughter (Islamic Food and Nutrition Control of America) Australia s approach Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAWS) update 11
2 nd OIE Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Point for Animal Welfare 30 Nov 2 Dec 2011 Small Group Discussion Strategies for implementation of OIE standards consistent with RAWS 1) how to improve knowledge and capabilities of VS, including the role of OIE Collaborating Centres; 2) how to improve awareness and knowledge of livestock carers and handlers; and 3) how to facilitate the development/improvement of animal welfare legislation 12
OIE Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis This unique binational OIE Collaborating Centre includes participation from the following institutions: 1. Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Masset Univ. NZ 2. Animal Behavior and Welfare Research Centre, AgReseach Ltd, NZ 3. Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourn, Australia 4. Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, University of Queensland, Australia 5. CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australia Contact: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Government Email: Peter.thornber@daff.gov.au 13
2 nd OIE Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Point for Animal Welfare 30 Nov 2 Dec 2011 Major discussion points: engaging government commitment to improve animal health as a first step; increasing community awareness of the wide benefits of promoting animal welfare, such as food safety; taking advantage of support offered by OIE Standards and the OIE Collaborating Centre, including training courses and twinning projects; developing appropriate domestic laws and regulations consistent with the OIE Standards; sharing the same goals rather than harmonizing legislation among members; importance of the active involvement of Veterinary Services in development/improvement of legislation on animal welfare; Improving veterinary education to better capture animal welfare issues. Participants were encouraged to prepare summaries of their progress, including that on legislation, and share them e.g. through RAWS Newsletter 14
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy for Asia, the Far East and Oceania Developed in 2008 with kind support of Australia DAFF 4 Goals 1. High level understanding of AW 2. Coordinated regional approach to the implementation of OIE AW standards 3. Improvements in AW based on research 4. Development of mechanism to promote AW programmes Objectives Model for other regions 15 Activities
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy for Asia, the Far East and Oceania Scope: all sentient animals, with initial emphasis on farm animals 4 Goals and Objectives 1. High level understanding of AW Promote ownership of strategy among member countries Improve attitude/skills of all animal handlers Raise the profile of AW with stakeholders 2.Coordinated regional approach to the implementation of OIE standards Development of legislation Obtain high-level support Effective implementation 3. Improvements in AW based on regional/international research Ensure new knowledge and developments in AW are adopted into OIE standards Use research outcomes from OIE CCs in the region 16 4. Development of mechanisms to promote AW programs/priorities Seek cooperation/support from regional/international originisations, key trading partners and NGOs
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy Implementation Plan Elaboration of RAWS into deliverables, resources required and expected outcomes Activity Status Details of each deliverable 17
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy Process for the way forward Establish Regional Animal Welfare Coordination Group to drive, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the RAWS - 7 regional members, representatives of OIE AWWG, NGOs, Industry and OIE Regional Offices - 3 meetings since 1 st meeting in April 2011 Feedback / report to all regional members at the annual Regional Commission meeting in May, Focal Point Workshops etc. OIE delegates and animal welfare focal points will be critical to the success of the RAWS implementation Publish RAWS newsletters as an arena of information exchange among regional members (available at http://www.rr-asia.oie.int/) 18
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy Next Steps Documents will be revised reflecting developments since 2008: Regional Animal Welfare Strategy and Implementation Framework Action plan with a view to categorisation, prioritisation and identification of accountability of each action. Expansion of observers to include ASEAN and SAARC, and the OIE Collaboration Centre in the region Further discussion at the 4th RAWS CG meeting in November : Back to back with 19
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy Conclusion Drafted from a regional perspective Provides direction for improvement in welfare in accordance with OIE Animal Welfare Standards and related objectives Needs shared ownership, support and commitment from regional governments To succeed, resources are required, including technical expertise, scientific information and funding. Potential to be of great benefit to member countries through clear regional direction on animal welfare. 20
Thank you for your attention Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale World Organisation for Animal Health Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal 21 12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int oie@oie.int