the role that civil society plays in supporting the implementation of

Supporting the implementation of animal welfare standards: The role that civil society plays
Alexandra Hammond‐Seaman
RSPCA International
‘The RSPCA will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty,
promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals’
‹ Founded in 1824, world’s oldest animal welfare organisation
‹ Concern for all animals
‹ Charity, no government funding ‹ Investigates and prosecutes breaches of UK animal welfare law
‹ Lobbies, campaigns and educates
‹ Animal centres, hospitals, 1,650 staff
‹ 30 scientific staff, 4 departments
‹ Produce campaign reports, standards
‹ Commission independent research
‹ Advise government, sit on scientific panels Introduction to the RSPCA
International programmes 1998-2010
Europe
East Asia
Southern
Africa
Candidate and the potential candidate countries
Candidate and the potential candidate countries
Key areas of focus:
‐Implementation and enforcement
‐ Raising consumer and public awareness
‐Encourage the establishment of stakeholder platforms
‐Facilitate training and education for animal keepers, handlers, operators
‐Introduce animal based measures into conventional assessment systems
Programme of professional training in Europe ¾Bulgaria 2006 ‘Welfare at slaughter’’ ¾Portugal 2007‐2008 ‘Welfare of food animals’ Train‐a‐ Trainer programme ¾Spain 2008 – Welfare at slaughter
¾Turkey 2010‐ Poultry welfare officer
¾Western Balkans 2008‐ 2011 ‘Welfare of food animals’ train‐a‐trainer programme, Poultry welfare officer, Welfare outcome assessment
Western Balkans Veterinary Network
Established in 2008 in partnership with the FVM‐ Skopje as a:
‘A unique platform for the advancement of animal welfare through research, education and professional training.’
Western Balkans Veterinary Network
Placing animal welfare at the hearth of the veterinary profession, public health, industry, academic and research sectors.
WBVN‐ Areas of concern
¾Farm animals
¾Research animals
¾Companion animals
Aims:
¾to initiate and develop research in the field of animal welfare
¾to achieve closer collaboration between stakeholders
¾to facilitate cross border academic and scientific co‐
operation
¾to assist implementation and enforcement of the EU legal framework ¾to develop professional training and education initiatives in the relevant fields Countries
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, UNMIK‐
Kosovo, Montenegro, R. of Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey
Institutions
State Veterinary Departments, Agricultural and Veterinary faculties, Veterinary organizations, Meat
Industry, Farming and producer associations, Consumer groups, NGOs
External partners
FVE, EU Commission, Bristol University, Welfare Quality Network, IRTA‐Spain, BOKU‐Austria, ICT‐ Teramo, WBVN‐ Developing sustainable solutions
¾Develop stable framework for education and training.
¾Develop sustainable training model for the veterinary officials and industry operators to improve compliance. Providing sustainable solutions
Red meat programme: 8 modules delivered over two years leading to the development of a national training resource Train‐a‐trainer programme ‘Welfare of Food Animals’
Outcomes:
•40 trained national experts
•7 national training programmes
•Integration of AW into veterinary curriculum
•Development of national training course for veterinary professionals and industry operators
•Compliant with the EU Slaughter Regulation requirements / 2013
•Recognition by the EU Commission resulting in TAIEX funding for parts of the TT programme
•Poultry programme run in 2011
WBVN‐ Developing systems for welfare outcome assessment
¾Introduce welfare outcome assessment and develop ‘on farm’ intervention tools to raise standards.
¾Recognise good animal welfare practices within traditional farming methods .
2010 – Workshop in Croatia
(pigs and poultry) for the
veterinary professionals,
industry operators and state
inspectors
2011 –Workshop held in
Macedonia (Pigs, poultry and
cattle) for the veterinarians,
Inspectors and industry.
• Welfare outcome assessment Outcomes:
•200+ trained professionals
•Series of workshops in collaboration with the competent authorities run in Macedonia and Croatia
•Development of guidelines and standards for producers and industry operators
•Inclusion of WOA principles in official monitoring and inspections
•Recognition by the EU Commission and links established for inclusion of WBVN members into European research projects ¾Introduce outcome based indicators into existing resource/management based systems.
¾Deliver technical skills and knowledge to farmers , producers and veterinary professionals.
WBVN‐ Establishing animal welfare training centers
¾Increased co‐operation between the veterinary faculties, organisations and public administration.
¾Increased interest for continuing education on animal welfare.
¾Development of training courses on EU AW legislation.
¾Development of an AW curriculum feeding into undergraduate and postgraduate studies. ¾Development of professional accredited courses for food business operators.
¾Policy development and guidance
Future steps:
In 2011 RSPCA and ICT Teramo signed an agreement of
collaboration.
First strategy meeting for the WB and Turkey planned in
2012 to map up priorities and agree future activities.
ICFAW: Representing global animal welfare organizations at the OIE ICFAW was formed in 2001 to represent non‐governmental animal welfare organisations from all over the world at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
It is composed of organisations that share the primary objectives of preventing cruelty to animals and relieving their suffering. They use different strategies depending on the nature of the task, and the region and country in which they work. Working together for better welfare The member organisations of ICFAW have together hundreds of years of experience in dealing with animal welfare, work in 150 countries worldwide, employ over 2,000 members of staff including over a hundred scientists and veterinarians and have millions of supporters.
They work on all the issues on which the OIE is drawing up guidelines (wildlife, companion animals, animals used for scientific purposes and farm animals), provide standards for and audit a private standards scheme (Freedom Food) and assist countries with implementing the agreed OIE guidelines. The coalition plays an important role in the OIE: ‐An expert from one of ICFAW member organisations is a member of the OIE working group on animal welfare.
‐ICFAW members work in over 150 countries worldwide raising standards of animal welfare and assisting in implementing the agreed OIE guidelines through technical and skills training, knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange.
‐The coalition produces position statements on issues such as private standards or chickens bred for meat Working together for better
welfare
ICFAW members work in over 150 countries worldwide raising standards of animal welfare and assisting in implementing the agreed OIE guidelines through training, technology transfer and grant aided funds. Thank you !
ahammond@rspca.org.uk