Regional Strategic Plan on Animal Handling and Transport Arrangements for the Middle East

Transcription

1 Regional Strategic Plan on Animal Handling and Transport Arrangements for the Middle East

2 Background 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 73 rd Annual General Session of the International Committee of the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) met during May 2005, where the 167 OIE member countries 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. 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 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. 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 which was addressed mainly to GCC countries. 1

3 The timetable for the proceedings of the implementation will start in January 2013 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 3 rd -5 th of December The first strategic plan will address handling and transportation of animals in regard to animal welfare in compliance with the OIE standards. Furthermore, the group will address other issues such as animal slaughtering, killing for disease prevention 2

4 Strategic Plan Overview The AW Regional Strategic Plan (the Strategic Plan) focuses on ensuring the health and welfare of all animals in the Region is promoted and protected by the development and adoption of sound animal welfare standards and handling practices. 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 in May 2005 to adopt the OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines relating to Land Transport, Sea Transport, Halal Slaughter and Killing for Disease Control Purposes. Key Outcomes The Strategic Plan will assist the 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 by sea and land and after their arrival; improving animal handling facilities at feedlots, markets and slaughter houses. Benefits of the Strategic Plan Improved economic performance from animal production systems across the Region; 3

5 higher quality and quantity of red meat available for consumption; development of a clear regional direction on animal welfare; achievement of optimum, sustainable welfare outcomes for animals; and readily identifiable and clearly defined regional standards; 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. Evaluation The Plan has been developed for the two year period 1 Jan 2013 to Jan A review of the Strategic Plan and associated projects should be undertaken in the first half of 2015 with a view to the development of a subsequent 2015 to 2017 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. A revision of the Strategic Plan will take place in the first half of 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; 4

6 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. Goals and /Activities 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. Objectives 1.1 To ensure administrative, legislative and planning mechanisms support effective management of animal welfare in the region. 1.2 To ensure effective and timely implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan 1.3 Develop ME wide Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with livestock Activities Review current animal welfare legislation and legislatve instruments (laws, regulations, decrees, edicts, government directives) Participate in a workshop, to review the official regulations for animal welfare within the Middle East countries to be compatible with the OIE guidelines on animal welfare 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 GCC countries. Identify any additional resources and funding required to deliver the Plan. Provide a basis for regional coordination and reporting on implementation progress Build on existing bilateral agreements, signed by ME members, to deliver a ME wide 5

7 trading partners consistent with OIE Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on guidelines. livestock exports with key trading partners that underpins the trade and ensures the health and welfare of animals are protected. Goal 2: The provision of funding, coordination and evaluation to support improvements in animal handling systems. Objectives 2.1 Funding is prioritised regionally to achieve best value for money in improving animal handling systems. 2.2 Activities relating to improvements in animal handling systems are coordinated amongst member countries to achieve regional consistency in animal handling outcomes. 2.3 To demonstrate progress in delivering animal welfare outcomes consistent with OIE guidelines and the goals of the strategic plan. Activities The ME, with assistance from key trading partners, will identify regional priorities for funding improvements in animal handling systems and appropriate funding sources The ME coordinate member country activities to improve animal handling systems, with assistance from the OIE Middle East Regional Commission and key trading partners 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. 6

8 Goal 3: The provision of training and development in animal handling, requirements for facilities, product quality and disease management, animal production and health in both Government and private industry. Objectives 3.1 Recognising the obligations of both government and private sector, enhance the attitudes, skills and knowledge of animal carers and handlers and people whose actions have a potential effect/impact on animals by developing, where appropriate, certified training competencies and standards. 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. 3.3 Improve the design of animal handling systems to promote efficient, minimal stress movement of livestock and enhance employee safety. Activities 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 Develop sector specific animal handling standards for the commercial livestock supply chain Train animal handlers to understand the link between animal health and product quality Communicate the economic loss caused by morbidity, handling stress and nutritional stress to the commercial livestock supply chain Provide access to advice and training resources on the design of animal handling systems Improve employee safety and animal welfare through training in animal handling techniques. 7

9 Goal 4: Sustainable improvements in animal welfare based on regional and international research and development. Objectives 4.1 To ensure that new knowledge gained through research on animal welfare is broadly communicated and adopted into regional animal welfare standards. 4.2 Seek effective input from industry, ME member governments and other stakeholders across the spectrum of the use of animals in the region. 4.3 Learn from international experience in animal welfare programs. Activities Develop a process for identifying research and development needs and establish regional animal welfare research priorities, lead by the GCC with assistance, if required, of the OIE Middle East Regional Commission Monitor and review future updates by OIE to their guidelines on animal welfare and incorporate these into this Strategic plan where relevant Monitor and review future updates by OIE to their guidelines on animal welfare and incorporate these into this Strategic plan where relevant Develop a process for reviewing and incorporating international research findings on animal welfare into this Strategic Plan where relevant 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 (Sea Transport) and (Land Transport) Develop close relationships with countries running animal welfare programs to share experiences and assist in development of policies and programs. 8

10 Goal 5: Effective communication, education and training to promote an improved understanding of animal welfare. Objectives 5.1 To promote ownership and responsibility by the whole of the community of the benefits of the Strategic Plan. 5.2 Involve religious scientists in the communication of animal welfare activities and initiatives under the strategic plan. 5.3 Enhance the skills and knowledge of animal handlers by developing training competencies and standards. 5.4 Raise the profile of animal welfare and animal handling systems in the education sector. Activities 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 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 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. 9