Implementing WOAH standards for animal welfare in the Pacific

Sub-regional animal welfare webinar: Implementing WOAH Standards for good animal welfare in the Pacific

The WOAH Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAWS) provides a regional framework for implementing WOAH animal welfare standards and improving animal welfare through communication, education, regulation, and research and development. Additionally, the WOAH Collaborating Centre on Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis (the David Bayvel Consortium) offers technical support to regional Members. This consortium comprises leading institutions including Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Australia), AgResearch, CSIRO, Massey University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Queensland.

Animal welfare policies and practices vary significantly across island countries and territories. Regional organisations, including WOAH, the Pacific Community (SPC), and Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services (PHOVAPS) Network, are actively working to strengthen animal health and production, improve veterinary services, and promote animal welfare awareness. Since many countries and territories in the Pacific sub-region are not WOAH Members, they may not be familiar with WOAH activities. Further, animal welfare is one of the areas identified for collaboration in SPC-WOAH MoU. Understanding existing animal welfare strategies and policies in the island countries, and how they align with international frameworks, opens opportunities to further improve animal health, boost local economies, foster international collaboration, and enhance public awareness and education.

Therefore, representatives from WOAH RRAP, SPC, PHOVAPS, and the WOAH Collaborating Centre on Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis collaboratively agreed to host a dedicated webinar for Pacific Island countries and territories.

Objectives

1. Facilitate the sharing of experiences, successes, challenges, and recommendations among participants from the Pacific region and WOAH Partners; 
2. reinforce understanding of the WOAH Standards for animal welfare; 
3. foster enhanced connection, collaboration, and networking among all participants;  
4. and highlight the crucial role of the WOAH RAWS for Asia-Pacific in supporting the effective implementation of WOAH Standards for Members and Pacific Island countries/territories. 

Details

Date: 29 July 2025

Time: 11:00 AM Tokyo, Japan | 2:00 PM Suva, Fiji

Venue: Online 

Participation: (this event has concluded) 

Agenda: PDF

Recording: YouTube