World Organisation for Animal Health
The Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAWS) for Asia and the Pacific was developed to provide WOAH Members, non-WOAH members and partners in the region with a direction for future improvements on the welfare of animals. It was endorsed through the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific in 2008. RAWS recognises activities undertaken by governments, industries and organisations to improve animal welfare and develop sustainable production systems in the region.
The aim of RAWS is to provide an overarching, agreed framework and guidance for WOAH Members, non-WOAH members and partners in the region when implementing WOAH Standards, and to serve as the basis for the development of Action Plans.
Our vision is a region where the welfare of animals is respected, promoted and incrementally advanced, simultaneously with the pursuit of progress and socioeconomic development. This vision presents both significant challenges and opportunities. These are reflected in the priority goals and their supporting objectives and specific activities.
Development and implementation of the RAWS has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. The aim of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is to assist in the creation of a more consistent and effective animal welfare system. One of the goals of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is to ensure that Australia is actively engaged in international partnerships and developments to improve animal welfare. Australia has provided leadership and some funding to support the development of the regional animal welfare strategy in collaboration with WOAH.
The Director General of WOAH (formerly OIE) agreed to establish a RAWS Coordination Group (RAWS CG) and nominated then-OIE regional representatives, industry, and an animal welfare international non-government organisation as its members. Dr Gardner Murray was appointed as chair and the first meeting of the RAWS CG was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 – 29 April 2010.
Since its first meeting in April 2010, the RAWS CG has progressed a number of recommendations through then-OIE Headquarters in Paris for endorsement through the Regional Commission. Highlights of the coordination group’s activities include:
RAWS Coordination Group was replaced by the RAWS Advisory Group (AG). The advisory group has since carried on and implemented activities proposed based on activities proposed in action plans. The AG works towards a region where the welfare of animals is respected, promoted and incrementally advanced, simultaneously with the pursuit of progress and socioeconomic development.
RAWS AG supports the implementation of the WOAH Regional Animal Welfare Strategy for Asia and the Pacific and ensures it remains up-to-date. The group’s Terms of Reference (2022 May) are available here.
This is the Third Action Plan issued to support implementation of the Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAWS) for Asia and the Pacific. It was developed following the reactivation of the RAWS Advisory Group (RAWS-AG) for Asia and the Pacific in May 2022.
This Third Action Plan takes account of the needs agreed by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Members of the Regional Commission for Asia Pacific, the outcomes of the implementation of two previous RAWS action plans issued in 2012 and 2015, and the findings of surveys of animal welfare focal points and Delegates in 2019 and 2021.
The RAWS Action Plan is a specific, step-by-step guideline focusing on clear deadlines and responsibilities, with measurable targets and milestones to track progress and evaluate effectiveness. It is separate from the Regional Animal Welfare Strategy, which is in its 2nd Edition and sets the overall direction and approach to achieve the group’s goals.
Read the action planThe Secretariat is provided by the WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) based in Tokyo, Japan. She/he works closely with the Chair in organising and reporting on meetings and in carrying out a range of RAWS functions including monitoring progress against RAWS, coordination of activities and sharing information, preparation of newsletters, updating the RAWS website. The RAWS AG meets virtually, usually twice a year, and communicates through e-mail and teleconference as necessary. Any face-to-face meeting will be subject to funding availability, self-funded or otherwise, or held in conjunction with other opportunities (i.e., WOAH National Focal Points for Animal Welfare in-person training, Regional Commission conferences).
RAWS AG members list was endorsed at the Regional Commission meeting on 14 May 2024; below is the list presented by the Chair to the President of the Regional Commission during the meeting.
Members | ||||
1 | Carolyn Guy | New Zealand | Ministry for Primary Industries | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare, RAWS Advisory Group Chair |
2 | Emily Orchard-Mills | Australia | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
3 | Marzuna Md. Yunus | Malaysia | Department of Veterinary Services | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
4 | Audrey Chen | Singapore | National Parks Board | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
5 | Marie Shella Ordinario | Philippines | Bureau of Animal Industry | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
6 | Hikaru Nakano | Japan | Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
7 | Md. Sohel Rana | Bangladesh | Livestock Research Institute | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
8 | Atieh Dabaghian | Iran | Iranian Veterinary Organization | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
9 | Teng Xiangyan | China | China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
10 | Abhijit Mitra | India | Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | Commissioner & CVO |
11 | Muhammad Akram | Pakistan | Ministry of National Food Security and Research | WOAH Delegate |
12 | K.A.C.H.A. Kothalawala | Sri Lanka | Department of Animal Production and Health | WOAH Delegate |
13 | S. Abdul Rahman | India | Commonwealth Veterinary Association | |
14 | Jackson Zee | Austria | FOUR PAWS International for ICFAW | |
15 | Yi-Chun Lin | Chinese Taipei | Asian Association of Veterinary Schools | Assistant Professor, National Chung Hsing University |
16 | Hirofumi Kugita | Japan | WOAH RRAP | Regional Representative for Asia-Pacific |
17 | Jacqueline Lusat | Japan | WOAH RRAP | Animal Health Information Officer |
18 | Ashish Sutar | Thailand | WOAH SRR SEA | Capacity Building Coordinator |
19 | Leopoldo Stuardo | France | WOAH HQ | Scientific Coordinator for Animal Welfare |
Observers | ||||
1 | Adhiraj Mishra | India | Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | Assistant Commissioner |
2 | Praveen Malik | India | Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | Former Commissioner |
3 | Suresh S. Honnappagol | India | Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | Former Commissioner |
4 | O. P. Chaudhary | India | Former Focal Point for Animal Welfare | |
5 | Sujit Kumar Dutta | India | Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare |
6 | Jeff Zhou | China (PRC) | International Coalition for Animal Welfare | Chief Representative |
7 | Kasumi Sudo | Japan | Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | |
8 | Emmerson Oreb | Australia | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | |
9 | Abdur Rashid | Bangladesh | Former WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare | |
10 | Pradeep L. Kumarawadu | Sri Lanka | WOAH Focal Point for Animal Welfare | |
11 | Peter Thornber | Australia | Commonwealth Veterinary Associations (formerly) | |
12 | Kate Littin | New Zealand | A World of Good Initiative Inc. | Program Specialist, Former RAWS Advisory Group Chair |
13 | Suphanan Boonyakarn | Thailand | Department of Livestock Development | |
14 | Sarah Lamar | New Zealand | Ministry for Primary Industries | Senior Advisor, Animal Welfare Systems |
15 | Kerry L. Jones | New Zealand | Ministry for Primary Industries | |
16 | Razlina binti Raghazli | Malaysia | Department of Veterinary Services |
Regional Animal Welfare Strategy
Meeting Reports