Cattle Rack Rancher
Well-known member
Animal transport rules in the works
this document web posted: Wednesday May 11, 2005 20050512p73
By Barbara Duckworth
Calgary bureau
International guidelines for animal transportation will go before the world animal health organization at the end of May.
The OIE has established a permanent committee to develop general principles on the humane movement of animals on land and sea as part of a larger welfare initiative. Priority has been given to welfare of animals used for agriculture and aquaculture and the OIE has sought international expertise as it writes its guidelines.
Animal transportation is a challenging and sensitive issue, Peter Linhart, assistant director of the Vienna Zoo, said May 3 in Calgary during the Animal Transportation Association meeting, an international organization working for the humane movement of animals.
"It leads to conflict solved in a highly emotional manner," said Linhart, a member of the association's board.
Animal well-being will become more important as international trade increases, he added, but no one wants overly onerous rules because developing countries could have difficulty meeting the requirements.
Enforcement will be slow and the World Trade Organization does not back this OIE initiative.
However, OIE president Alejandro Thiermann said the demand for a single, approved code of practice will be pushed by global food companies such as McDonald's Corp. and Cargill Ltd., which could refuse to buy commodities from anyone who does not meet their animal care standards.
All players in the animal transportation system agreed they need a single system because demands for documentation and handling of animals vary between countries.
The OIE is looking at five areas: animal welfare; movement of exotics; trade controls; crates and road transportation.
David Adams of the Australian department of agriculture and a member of the OIE working group, said it is necessary to create a document that is relevant throughout the world.
He told the transportation meeting that standards for animal health and welfare are needed but should have minimal effects on trade.
"Welfare benefits and economic benefits go hand in hand. This is often a point of contention," Adams said.
As well, he said co-operation and fairness is important to prevent one group from transferring its problems down the line.
It is also important to take into account regional and cultural differences and rely on available scientific information.
However, scientific assessments of animal welfare are frequently complex and can involve value-based judgments that may yield impractical information.
The OIE wants practical guidelines for all cultures, environments and weather conditions.
this document web posted: Wednesday May 11, 2005 20050512p73
By Barbara Duckworth
Calgary bureau
International guidelines for animal transportation will go before the world animal health organization at the end of May.
The OIE has established a permanent committee to develop general principles on the humane movement of animals on land and sea as part of a larger welfare initiative. Priority has been given to welfare of animals used for agriculture and aquaculture and the OIE has sought international expertise as it writes its guidelines.
Animal transportation is a challenging and sensitive issue, Peter Linhart, assistant director of the Vienna Zoo, said May 3 in Calgary during the Animal Transportation Association meeting, an international organization working for the humane movement of animals.
"It leads to conflict solved in a highly emotional manner," said Linhart, a member of the association's board.
Animal well-being will become more important as international trade increases, he added, but no one wants overly onerous rules because developing countries could have difficulty meeting the requirements.
Enforcement will be slow and the World Trade Organization does not back this OIE initiative.
However, OIE president Alejandro Thiermann said the demand for a single, approved code of practice will be pushed by global food companies such as McDonald's Corp. and Cargill Ltd., which could refuse to buy commodities from anyone who does not meet their animal care standards.
All players in the animal transportation system agreed they need a single system because demands for documentation and handling of animals vary between countries.
The OIE is looking at five areas: animal welfare; movement of exotics; trade controls; crates and road transportation.
David Adams of the Australian department of agriculture and a member of the OIE working group, said it is necessary to create a document that is relevant throughout the world.
He told the transportation meeting that standards for animal health and welfare are needed but should have minimal effects on trade.
"Welfare benefits and economic benefits go hand in hand. This is often a point of contention," Adams said.
As well, he said co-operation and fairness is important to prevent one group from transferring its problems down the line.
It is also important to take into account regional and cultural differences and rely on available scientific information.
However, scientific assessments of animal welfare are frequently complex and can involve value-based judgments that may yield impractical information.
The OIE wants practical guidelines for all cultures, environments and weather conditions.
