1. Animal welfare policies and standards of the OIE
Beijing, China, 26 – 27 February 2008
Dr Sarah Kahn
Head, International Trade Department

2. The OIE and animal welfare: a strategic engagement
Animal welfare has been identified as a strategic priority for the OIE since 2001, under the mandate granted by all Members.
Through its strategic engagement, the OIE is recognised globally as the leader in setting international animal welfare standards.

3. Permanent Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG)
Mission: To provide international leadership in animal welfare through the development of science-based standards and guidelines, provision of expert advice and the promotion of relevant education and research.
Members are selected for their expertise and to be broadly representative of the 5 OIE regions. Representatives of international NGOs and industry organizations (IMS, IFAP and IDF) also participate.

4. OIE Approach
Texts must be applicable to 172 OIE Members with diverse socio-economic, cultural and religious contexts.
‘Guiding Principles’ then broad recommendations
The OIE adopts an ‘outcomes-based’ not a ‘systems-based’ approach,

5. OIE ad hoc Groups
Convened to develop texts on specific topics, as the basis for OIE standards
Academia, government and private sector
Previous Groups developed standards on land, sea and air transport, slaughter for human consumption and killing for disease control
A current Group is developing recommendations on the control of stray dog populations.

6. OIE Guiding Principles
Animal welfare and health are linked
Five freedoms
Three R’s (reduction, refinement and replacement)
Scientific basis for standards
Better animal welfare can improve productivity and deliver economic benefits

7. OIE Work Program
The OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare (2004) laid the way for the adoption of the standards in 2005
OIE Scientific and Technical Review on Animal Welfare: Global Issues, Trends and Challenges (2005)

8. OIE Animal Welfare Standards
Standards adopted in 2005 for livestock
transport of animals by land, sea and air
slaughter for human consumption
killing for disease control purposes
They are regularly revised and updated, based on latest scientific information.

9. Implementation of standards
OIE Regional Commissions are developing strategic animal welfare frameworks to help countries in their regions implement standards appropriate to their local contexts.

10. Implementation
The OIE will hold a 2nd Global Conference on October 2008 with the main goal of helping Members implement the OIE animal welfare standards.

11. OIE Priorities in 2008
Dog population control
Farmed fish
Laboratory animals
Livestock production systems
Status of relevant work may be found on the OIE internet site

12. Sources of information
Reports of the Code Commission
Proceedings 1st Global Conference on Animal Welfare
Notice of 2nd Global Conference
Rev. Sci. Tech. Publication

13. Thank you for your attention

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Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale
World Organisation for Animal Health
Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal
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