1. Middle East Regional Strategy on Animal Welfare Arrangement Prof.H. Aidaros -Dr G. Yehia Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare 17-18 March 2014, Amman, JORDAN

2. Animals have played an important role in the Middle East Region's history and development; and continue to have economic importance for the Region, both as a source of food, fibre and other products and in providing livelihoods. The 73rd Annual General Session in May 2005 of the International Committee of the OIE agreed on the first global mandate for standards in the field of animal health. Guidelines for animal welfare were adopted at the Session – i.e. slaughter for human consumption, land and sea transport of animals, and humane killing of animals for disease control purposes. The adoption of these OIE Guidelines provides a clear mandate to efforts to improve animal handling and welfare and the need to apply risk based approaches to animal production systems. Animals have played an important role in the Middle East Region's history and development; and continue to have economic importance for the Region, both as a source of food, fibre and other products and in providing livelihoods. The 73rd Annual General Session in May 2005 of the International Committee of the OIE agreed on the first global mandate for standards in the field of animal health. Guidelines for animal welfare were adopted at the Session – i.e. slaughter for human consumption, land and sea transport of animals, and humane killing of animals for disease control purposes. The adoption of these OIE Guidelines provides a clear mandate to efforts to improve animal handling and welfare and the need to apply risk based approaches to animal production systems. Background Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

3. Animal Welfare in the Middle East Several workshops and conferences have been organized in the Middle East countries and especially the 2 nd Global Conference on Animal Welfare held in Cairo, Egypt in 2008. The Key outcome from these meetings was agreement to develop a Regional Strategic Plan aimed at assisting member countries to implement improvements in animal handling and management systems with consideration to animal welfare. According to the above, the Middle East working group on Animal Welfare is presenting a draft of strategic plan based on the MoU established in 2005 by experts from Middle East countries with the assistance of the Australian Government. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

4. The timetable for the proceedings of the implementation will start in January 2014 after a potential adoption of the draft in a working group meeting with countries’ focal points on Animal Welfare which is scheduled to be held in Beirut on the 4 rd -6 th of December 2012. The first strategic plan will address compliance with OIE standards on animal welfare with special focus on handling and transportation of animals in the region. It will also address other issues such as animal slaughtering, killing for disease prevention,the control of stray dog population… Animal Welfare in the Middle East Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

5. Animal Welfare Strategy in Middle East The Strategic Plan recognizes the intimate connection that exists between animal welfare and animal health and production, and establishes a framework for sustainable animal welfare outcomes based on scientific evidence, confirming: –Animal welfare/handling is directly linked to animal health, animal production and commercial success; –Animal welfare is an important international issue and of increasing concern to consumers; –The commitment made by the ME countries, and key trading partners, at the OIE General Session to adopt the OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines relating to Transport, Halal Slaughter and Killing for Disease Control Purposes. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

6. Key Outcomes The Strategic Plan will provides assistance to ME countries in achieving key outcomes such as: –Developing model regulations for animal welfare throughout the ME countries in respect of management of livestock; –Improving awareness about animal care and handling during transportation. –Improving animal handling facilities at feedlots, markets and slaughter houses. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

7. Benefits of the Strategic Plan Improve economic performance from animal production systems across the Region; Achievement of optimum, sustainable welfare outcomes for animals; Readily identifiable and clearly defined regional standards; Increase regional control of animal diseases and zoonoses. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

8. Implementation This Strategic Plan sets broad regional goals on animal welfare and provides a framework for sustainable, scientifically based and acceptable animal welfare outcomes. Once the Strategic plan is agreed, an Implementation Plan will be developed. Under the Strategic Plan, the ME countries will assume responsibility to monitor, review and report on the implementation progress. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

9. Evaluation The plan will includes series of training courses on the compliance with the standards taking in consideration regional particularities. Trainings shall be organized to 2 dividends of the ME region: Group 1-: GCC countries + Yemen Group 2 : Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon,PAT and Syria. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

10. OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services (Sixth edition, 2013, 47 CC) TECHNICAL AUTHORITY AND CAPABILITY Critical competencies: (…) Section II-13 Animal welfare The authority and capability of the VS to implement the animal welfare standards of the OIE as published in the Terrestrial Code.

11. OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services (Sixth edition, 2013)

12. Evaluation The Plan has been developed for the five years period from 1 Jan. 2014 to Dec 2018. A review of the Strategic Plan and associated projects should be undertaken in the first half of 2016 with a view to the development of a subsequent 2016 to 2018 two year plan. Review of projects under the implementation plan will take place annually to review the progress of activities and ensure that projects remain focused on achieving the goals of the Strategic Plan. The evaluation process is currently being developed to include: –a cost benefit analysis contrasting the cost of implementation & compliance costs with the savings from improvements in handling systems and increased value of livestock and livestock products; –a review of the effectiveness of the strategic plan in achieving its goals within the three year timeframe; –recommendations for improving the measurability of animal welfare outcomes to aid in future evaluation and; –the development of a new set of goals, objectives, strategies and timeline for the next phase of the strategic plan. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

13. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 1.1 To ensure administrative, legislative and planning mechanisms support effective management of animal welfare in the region. 1.1.1 Review current animal welfare legislation and legislative instruments (laws, regulations, decrees, edicts, government directives). 1.1.2 Participate in workshop, to review the official regulations for animal welfare within the Middle East countries to be compatible with the OIE guidelines on animal welfare. 1.2 To ensure effective and timely implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan 1.2.1 Develop an implementation plan to identify lead responsibility for the monitoring, review and reporting on progress under the Strategic Plan. This Plan will: Incorporate specific action plans and use the expertise of lead agencies to integrate the plans into each of the ME countries. Identify any additional resources and funding required to deliver the Plan. Provide a basis for regional coordination and reporting on implementation progress. Goal 1: An enhanced regional approach and commitment to ensure high standards of animal welfare based on a legislative framework and standards consistent with the OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

14. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 1.3 Develop ME wide Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with livestock trading partners consistent with OIE guidelines. 1.3.1 Build on existing bilateral agreements, signed by ME members, to deliver a ME wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on livestock exports with key trading partners that underpins the trade and ensures the health and welfare of animals are protected. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

15. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 2.1 Funding is prioritised regionally to achieve best value for money in improving animal handling systems. 2.1.1 The ME, with assistance from key trading partners, will identify regional priorities for funding improvements in animal handling systems and appropriate funding sources. 2.2 Activities relating to improvements in animal handling systems are coordinated amongst member countries to achieve regional consistency in animal handling outcomes. 2.2.1 The ME coordinate member country activities to improve animal handling systems, with assistance from the OIE Middle East Regional Commission and key trading partners. 2.3 To demonstrate progress in delivering animal welfare outcomes consistent with OIE guidelines and the goals of the strategic plan. 2.3.1 Identify appropriate indicators for recording animal welfare performance standards in the region and use this to benchmark current performance and measure change in animal handling practices over time. Goal 2: The provision of funding, coordination and evaluation to support improvements in animal handling systems. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

16. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 3.1 Recognizing the obligations of both government and private sector, enhance the attitudes, skills and knowledge of animal careers and handlers and people whose actions have a potential effect/impact on animals by developing, where appropriate, certified training competencies and standards. 3.1.1 Promote consultation and the dissemination of information on animal care and encourage the adoption of best practice standards in all situations where there is potential for human to animal interaction. 3.1.2 Develop sector specific animal handling standards for the commercial livestock supply chain. 3.2 Stimulate interest in improving animal welfare standards by clarifying the link between animal handling practices and the economic value of food, fibre and other products derived from animals. 3.2.2 Communicate the economic loss caused by morbidity, handling stress and nutritional stress to the commercial livestock supply chain. Goal 3: The provision of training and development in animal handling, requirements for facilities, product quality and disease management, in both Government and private industry. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

17. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 3.3 Improve the design of animal handling systems to promote efficient, minimal stress movement of livestock and enhance employee safety. 3.3.1 Provide access to advice and training resources on the design of animal handling systems. 3.3.2 Improve employee safety and animal welfare through training in animal handling techniques. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

18. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 4.1 To ensure that new knowledge gained through research on animal welfare is broadly communicated and adopted into regional animal welfare standards. 4.1.1 Develop a process for identifying research and development needs and establish regional animal welfare research priorities, with assistance, if required, of the OIE Middle East Regional Commission. 4.1.2 Monitor and review future updates by OIE to their guidelines on animal welfare and incorporate these into this Strategic plan where relevant. 4.1.3 Develop a process for reviewing and incorporating international research findings on animal welfare into this Strategic Plan where relevant. Goal 4: Sustainable improvements in animal welfare based on regional and international research and development. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

19. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 4.2 Seek effective input from industry, ME member governments and other stakeholders across the spectrum of the use of animals in the region. 4.2.1 Under ME regulation and guidance encourage the commitment of ME member states and all users to implement animal welfare standards in accordance with the OIE Animal Welfare guidelines, in particular 3.7.2.1 (Sea Transport) and 3.7.3.1 (Land Transport). 4.3 Learn from international experience in animal welfare programs. 4.3.1 Develop close relationships with countries running animal welfare programs to share experiences and assist in development of policies and programs. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

20. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 5.1 To promote ownership and responsibility by the whole of the community of the benefits of the Strategic Plan. 5.1.1 Publicise the existence and content of the Strategic Plan, including animal welfare legislation, model codes of practice, position statements, standards and guidelines utilizing appropriate media. 5.2 Involve religious scientists in the communication of animal welfare activities and initiatives under the strategic plan. 5.2.1 Work with religious scientists in the implementation of specific action plans to remind industry and the public of religious obligations to the treatment and handling of animals. Goal 5: Effective communication, education and training to promote an improved understanding of animal welfare. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

21. Goals and Activities ObjectivesActivities 5.3 Enhance the skills and knowledge of animal handlers by developing training competencies and standards. 5.3.1 Where necessary, develop, promote and deliver appropriate education and training as part of quality assurance programs for animal care, production, use and management that comply with relevant OIE guidelines. 5.4 Raise the profile of animal welfare and animal handling systems in the education sector. Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

22. Proceedings timetable: ActionDate Nominationof a coordinator: Prof. Hassan Aidaros Nomination of Animal Welfare Working Group : Dr. Kassem Qahtani –, Salah Fadhel Abbas –, Dr. Ossama Slim and Dr. Abdul Ghani AL Fadhl, Prof. Hassan Aidaros Dr. Ghazi Yehia. *: Animal welfare experts may be invited Draft distribution to countries for comments Meeting of the working group Meeting for adoption Module AModule BModule CModule D Group 1Date, countryDate, Country Group 2Date, countryDate, Country Proceedings timetable Assessment of stages in Animal Welfare all groups June 2016, Beirut-Lebanon Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare

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