About UDAW
What is the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)?
The UDAW is an agreement among people and nations to recognize that animals are sentient, to respect their welfare needs and bring an end to animal cruelty – for good.
The UDAW is ultimately an inter-governmental agreement. It will be a non-binding set of basic principles acknowledging the importance of the sentience of animals and the corresponding responsibilities that all of us have to uphold these principles.
THE RATIONALE
What would a UDAW mean for animals?
The achievement of the Declaration would be groundbreaking, and would act as a catalyst for change in the following ways:
- By raising the status of animal welfare as an international issue.
- By encouraging governments to establish or improve existing national animal welfare legislation and its implementation.
- By encouraging those industries which use animals to keep welfare at the forefront of their policies and practices.
- By inspiring positive change in public attitudes and actions towards animals.
THE SCIENCE
Sentience
The UDAW refers to the welfare of sentient animals. Sentience is the capacity to have feelings and to experience suffering and pleasure. It implies a level of conscious awareness.1
Scientific research suggests that all vertebrates and octopus are sentient animals. This is an active research area and knowledge of sentience among species continues to grow.
1 This definition is the same as that given in the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, published by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2005.
Welfare
Is the animal healthy? Is it happy? Can it express natural behaviour? These are the notions around which the science of animal welfare has grown. Indicators of welfare (such as the five freedoms) are classified and measured around these criteria.
Corresponding Human Responsibilities
As stated by the OIE: “the use of animals carries with it an ethical responsibility to ensure the welfare of such animals to the greatest extent practicable” (OIE International Animal Health Code – 2006)
The UDAW would represent international acknowledgement of these responsibilities, and encourages governments to live up to them within their own borders.
BACKGROUND
2003
The Manila Conference on Animal Welfare was attended by 19 government delegations with the EC, US & Saipan as observers. A foundation text for a UDAW was agreed.
2005
UDAW inter-governmental steering committee formed: representatives of the governments of Kenya, Costa Rica, Philippines, Czech Republic & India agreed to champion the initiative.
Animal Welfare Movement
The UDAW represents a common goal that all supporters of animal welfare can work towards. A growing number of animal welfare organizations from around the world have already signed up: please visit the UDAW website at www.animalsmatter.org for more information.
THE PEOPLE
What would a UDAW mean for people?
Animals have a profound impact on human lives. Over 1 billion people depend on animals for their livelihoods and an unknown number rely on animals for companionship. People also rely on animals for food. Wild animals are recognized for their intrinsic value as part of fragile ecosystems.
Positive change for animals will follow recognition of animal welfare. Improving animal welfare can also have a positive impact on human welfare. Reducing the pain and suffering that humans can inflict on animals should therefore guide our relationship with them. The UDAW represents a new beginning for our relationship with animals.
THE POLITICS
The United Nations
There is currently no acknowledgement by the international community of animal welfare as an issue of importance. Neither the scientific findings regarding sentience nor the links between animal welfare and human development have been recognised.
Animal welfare is a key tool for devising strategies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. With the official support of the UN General Assembly, the UDAW would be an integral part of international efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, environmental sustainability and human health.
Governments
The UDAW represents a benchmark for governments to aim for in implementing or improving their own standards of animal welfare. This in turn contributes towards national efforts to improve food safety, create more sustainable farming systems, and promote more humane treatment of all animals within their borders.
Veterinary Associations & Inter-Governmental Organisations
Veterinary associations and inter-governmental organisations are being offered the opportunity to play a key role in defining the future of animal welfare on a global level by supporting the progress of the UDAW. A growing number are stating their support, including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The Secretariat
The role of Secretariat to the Universal Declaration is currently filled by The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and its key partners: International Fund for Animal Welfare; American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Humane Society International; Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Compassion in World Farming.
To find out more about WSPA please visit: www.wspa-international.org
