Campaign for global recognition of animal welfare goes from strength to strength
Apr 24, 2008
© WSPA
WSPA’s campaign for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) got some very welcome backing from the British Veterinary Association (BVA), after staff recently presented the initiative in the House of Commons.
The WSPA is lobbying governments to support the adoption of the first ever global agreement on animal welfare at the United Nations. It is hoped that if the UN adopts the UDAW, it will encourage governments around the world to give animals within their borders a higher standard of protection.
Animal welfare is an important issue in the UK – WSPA believes that a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare would help the issue gain that same importance on a global scale.
British vets welcome WSPA initiative
BVA President Nick Blayney (pictured, signing the UDAW) said: “I am delighted that BVA is supporting this vital campaign to recognise the responsibilities that humans have towards the welfare of animals… I strongly believe that the veterinary profession should be part of this important global initiative, and hope that other veterinary associations around the world will sign up to this campaign. I also fully support the proposal to take the campaign to the United Nations, and hope that the Declaration will represent a huge step forward in gaining international recognition that animal welfare matters.”
The BVA Overseas Group, which provides an essential link between BVA and veterinary organisations, individuals and animal welfare charities across the developing world, firmly believes that the profession should play a key role in defining the future of animal welfare on a global level by supporting the progress of UDAW.
Justine Smith, the WSPA spokesperson for the campaign, said: “WSPA is delighted to have BVA backing for the campaign – this will go far in terms of building recognition for the UDAW from overseas governments, as well as in the UK. Vets have a vital role to play in promoting animal welfare and we hope that the vet community will use the upcoming World Veterinary Day on April 26th as an opportunity to help us inspire a permanent attitude shift towards animal welfare around the world.”
In May 2007, Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) gave overwhelming backing to the initiative at their annual meeting in Paris. The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
Other UK animal welfare organisations that have signed up to support the UDAW include WSPA UK member societies the RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming, The Dogs Trust, SPANA and the Scottish SPCA.
For more information on the UDAW and to find out how you can be a part of the world’s first international agreement on animal welfare, go to: www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/udaw