Chris Gallasch, 12 September 2013

Recognising Animal Welfare & Health Inter-linkages

Contents

• Animal health in context • The current animal health proposal• 7 basic requests• Explanation of requests• Concluding remarks

Copyright JMiu

Animal health in context

Disease outbreaks •2001: FMD•2003, 2006: avian influenza•Result:

• Millions of animals culled

•Domestic and exotic pets as vectors

• Rabies in dogs• Emerging diseases

Copyright by practicalowl / flickr.com

Current animal health proposal

Perceived benefits:

1. Enables wide coverage of species

2. Brings relevant measures into one framework

3. Takes animal welfare “into account”

4. Enables rapid response to diseases

5. Supports improved harmonization of prevention and control of listed diseases

Copyright by Tall Chris / flickr.com

Current animal health proposal

Perceived shortcomings:

1. Makes only casual references to animal welfare

2. Already suggests restricting scope

3. Not proactive

4. Relies heavily on implementing & delegated acts Leading to uncertain outcomes

Copyright by Tall Chris / flickr.com

7 basic requests

1. Recognize animals as sentient beings

2. List diseases that affect all animals

3. Ensure adequate scope of basic requirements

4. Recognize good management as part of prevention

5. Support animal health and welfare visits and certificates

6. Prevent animal suffering when eradicating disease

7. Improve transparency of adopted measures

copyright Kian Boon Tan / flickr.com

Request 1: Recognize animals as sentient beings

• The preambles should contain an explicit reference to Art. 13 of the Treaty which requires the EU and the Member States to “pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals” when adopting legislation.

Copyright Ferran Pestaña / flickr.com

Request 2:List diseases that affect all animals

• Ensure transparency and broad scope that recognizes all animals

• Include opportunities for detailed recommendations of stakeholders

• Consider all relevant science (e.g. Callisto Project)

Copyright by Malstad / flickr.com

Request 3:Basic animal requirements needed

• Ensure adequate scope of basic requirements

• All establishments and species pose a risk

• Remove derogations • Require permanent

identification & registration of all animals in a database

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Request 4:Animal Welfare: a part of prevention

• Recognize good animal welfare in prevention:

• Responsibilities and knowledge

• Biosecurity • Support improved breeding,

keeping, and handling

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Request 5:Support holistic visits and certificates

• Animal health visits should also look at the welfare of the animals

• The requirement for an animal health certificate should cover all animals under human care

Copyright by Tobyotter / flickr.com

Request 6:Prevent animal suffering

• Disease control, such as culling, should be conducted humanely

• Culling should only take place as a last resort, on as few animals as necessary

• Minimize negative impacts on research animals

Copyright DTSchB/ M. Karremann

Request 7:Ensure transparency

• Implementing rules should be decided transparently

• Enable stakeholder participation

• Ensure proper assessment of impacts

• Ensure rational integration where appropriate of existing rules

Copyright by Naama / flickr.com

Concluding remarks

We ask you to:

•Support our 7 basic requests•Introduce relevant amendments•Recognise the animal health and welfare inter-linkages

For more information and publications, please contact me: c.gallasch@eurogroupforanimals.org

© 2013 Eurogroup for Animals6 rue des Patriotes - 1000 Brussels

www.eurogroupforanimals.org