Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 4 • 5th March 2004
First Global Conference on Animal Welfare in Paris
Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
The Global Conference on Animal Welfare took place from the 23-25 February in Paris, organised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to begin work on international standards and guidelines on the welfare of animals. It was the first of its kind, bringing together a range of stakeholders including member countries, non-governmental organisations and scientists. Discussions centred on establishing standards and guidelines in four areas: transport by sea and land, humane slaughter for consumption and the killing of animals for disease control. Furthermore, the conference aimed to provide an introduction to the science of animal welfare and further elaborate on the importance of science in the formulation of standards and principles, often accused of being an unfair barrier to trade not based on sound scientific evidence. Participants at the meeting strongly reaffirmed that science should always be the essential base for setting any international standard. The proposed standards will be submitted to the OIE General Session in May 2004 and expected to be completed in 2005. The standards for animal health and zoonoses developed by the OIE are recognised international standards and in compliance with the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures.
“World Animal Welfare Standards Under Negotiation,” ENS, 24 February 2004; “Global Conference on Animal Welfare: the OIE confirms its role as a coordinator of guidelines on animal welfare world wide,” OIE, 25 February 2004.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.