An Update of OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines Julio Pinto Deputy Head International Trade Department OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) April 2006, Amsterdam, Netherlands AATA Conference

CONTENTS The OIE Mission The OIE initiative on Animal Welfare OIE guidelines on Animal Welfare Priorities Working Programme 2006-2007

THE OIE World Organisation for Animal Health An intergovernmental organisation Founded in 1924 – predates the UN 167 Member Countries Headquarters in Paris

OIE OBJECTIVES Transparency Scientific information To ensure transparency in the worldwide animal health and zoonoses situation Sanitary country status recognition Scientific information 3. International Solidarity Sanitary safety of world trade of animals and products Promotion of Veterinary Services Food safety and Animal welfare

WHY ANIMAL WELFARE? Animal diseases is a cause of poor animal welfare in modern livestock production systems OIE official is well placed to provide international leadership on a global basis (167 Member Countries) Scientific basis (ethical, cultural, religious and political dimensions)

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Link between animal health and welfare ‘Five freedoms’ provide valuable guidance in animal welfare ‘three Rs’ provide valuable guidance for the use of animals in science Scientific assessment Improvements in animal welfare can often improve productivity and hence lead to economic benefits

OIE ANIMAL WELFARE WORKING GROUP Manage OIE Animal Welfare activities Develop mission, policies and guidelines Academia, government and private sector from all regions Work programme and specific ad hoc groups

AWWG

OIE ANIMAL WELFARE WORKING GROUP (AWWG) “ To provide international leadership in animal welfare through the development of science-based standards and guidelines, the provision of expert advice and the promotion of relevant education and research.”

OIE Guidelines OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Four Guidelines: Slaughter of animals Killing of animals for disease control Transport of animals by land Transport of animals by sea

OIE Guidelines on Transport “Joint responsibility of all people involved” Exporters Business agents Animal Handlers Shipping company/master of the vessel

OIE Guidelines on Transport Planning the journey Documentation Pre-journey period Loading Travel Unloading and post-journey handling Refusal: what actions Specie specific issues

AWWG Work Programme 2006 Priorities Aquatic Animal Welfare - Four guidelines for adoption in 2007 Laboratory Animal Welfare (OIE-ICLAS) Stray Animal Control (Welfare issues) Housing of animals for production

OIE initiative Guidelines should be relevant for all Member Countries Priority for welfare of animals used in agriculture and aquaculture Involvement of a broad range of stakeholders (NGO’s, producers, international organisations) OIE support “Live Animals regulations” (IATA)

OIE initiative National legislation Used for bilateral agreements between countries Industry and producers to meet approved animal welfare standards

World Organisation for Animal Health 12 rue de Prony 75017 Paris, France Tel: 33 (0)1 4415 1888 Fax: 33 (0)1 4267 0987 Email: oie@oie.int http://www.oie.int