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Policies & Advocacy

Global Standards & Policies

Policies and standards help address important societal issues by setting baselines, guiding decision-making, and actions. In the globalised world, where there is increasing international movement of people and animals, global frameworks are necessary to regulate behaviours and promote positive changes.

Since animal welfare is a relatively new topic in some regions and it is profoundly influenced by a range of regionally defined factors (culture, religious and spiritual beliefs, economy and market, social conditions, etc.), science-based policies and frameworks should guide advocacy work to improve the welfare of animals.


World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

In 2017 the international authority for animal health created the Global Strategy to encourage respect, promotion and advancement of animal welfare.
www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/03/en-oie-aw-strategy.pdf

WOAH provides a collection of animal welfare related content and resources.
www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/#ui-id-3

The Terrestrial Code provides standards for the improvement of animal health, animal welfare and veterinary public health worldwide and has a specific chapter on Animal Welfare.
www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/?id=169&L=1&htmfile=titre_1.7.htm

The Aquatic Animal Health Code provides basic standards for aquatic life health and welfare.
www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/aquatic-code-online-access/


World Animal Protection 

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is an agreement to recognize that animals have sentience. It aims to promote welfare improvements and the end of animal cruelty, proposed to be adopted by the United Nations.
www.worldanimalprotection.ca/sites/default/files/media/ca_-_en_files/case_for_a_udaw_tcm22-8305.pdf


International Coalition for Animal Welfare

Resources on Policy Briefs, Position Papers and Recommendations
www.icfaw.org/resources 


World Veterinary Association

Policies on Animal Welfare
worldvet.org/policies-category/animal-welfare/