In a recent trip to the Marshall Islands, WSPA representatives were involved in discussions with the Minister of Resources and Development, who has expressed an interest in our campaign for a Universal Declaration for Animal Welfare (UDAW). With Fiji, Palau, Samoa and Tonga already having endorsed the UDAW, the region is showing strong support.
Have a look at the video that was shown to officials as part of our lobbying efforts, which includes views from Government officials and farmers from Papua New Guinea and Samoa. It was used to illustrate at Governmental level the importance of animal welfare, as recognised by Pacific Islanders themselves, and to demonstrate the need for a UDAW.
Following endorsement in Samoa, WSPA is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop animal welfare legislation and integrate these welfare concepts into existing farmer training. We hope neighbouring UN Pacific nations will follow their lead in signing up to the principle of a UDAW.
Celebrating 250 years since the creation of veterinary education programmes in Mexico, the country’s veterinary elite has come together to sign the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare (UDAW).
On 24th February 2001, representatives of five veterinary associations and 17 guilds in Mexico, as well as 13 university departments of veterinary medicine gave their support to WSPA’s campaign for a UDAW, already signed by multiple governments, including in Latin America, and other bodies and organisations worldwide.
For Marcela Vargas, WSPA Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Campaigns Manager, this act constitutes invaluable support for UDAW from the veterinary community. “With today’s signing, we recognise the vital momentum the scientific community has given us, the credibility, and the motivation to continue persuading different political entities to adopt UDAW before the United Nations.”
Dr. Francisco Trigo, Director of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Zootecnics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), said that animal welfare is a moral responsibility of civilised societies in general, and of those who benefit from animals and those who feel passionately about them, as well as of the professionals who prepare themselves expressly for this purpose.
Víctor Hugo Franco Olivares, President of the College of Veterinary Medicine of Aguascalientes and tireless defender of animals, said the signing of this declaration marked a precedent since such a declaration had never been a priority before in Mexico. “Let’s hope people make a commitment and always take care of animals, which sustain humanity in many ways, since they give us food and companionship,” he concluded.
Chile and Peru have officially declared their government’s support for the campaign to achieve a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW). Both countries have decided to recognize the importance of animal welfare ; not only for animals, but for people and the environment.
This means there are now 40 international governments that have recognized the enormous impact a UDAW will have globally.
An issue of great regional importance
At the beginning of the year Bolivia and Nicaragua announced a powerful message about the responsibility of Latin American governments - and the world - to end cruelty towards animals, clearly supporting the process of achieve a UDAW. With the addition of Chile and Perú, the region’s steady move towards achieving a UDAW is further strengthened. Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica have also moved significant further on towards total government support of this WSPA-promoted animal welfare initiative.
As well as joining the biggest ever animal welfare initiative, which exists to achieve effective animal protection worldwide, these South American countries have been working on their own to improve the quality of life of their animals.
Currently, Peru is working on new legislative initiatives for animal protection and welfare. The Republic’s Congress is discussing a draft law created with contributions from animal welfare organizations, including WSPA member societies. It is also running a legislative initiative to prohibit the use of animals in countryside circuses. This is being promoted by Congressman José Urquizo, who pioneered the process to support a UDAW in Peru.
In Chile, animal welfare has begun to be discussed actively in the national agenda. It has been a flourishing area of research in recent years, in particular, issues relating to livestock and wildlife. In addition, they now have one of the biggest national whale sanctuaries in the world.
“The campaign to achieve a UDAW has had strong support in South America this year. This pleased us a lot, because we not only see a recognition of animals as beings that deserve protection, but also government willingness to incorporate, at their own pace, animal welfare in their development policies”, said Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Regional WSPA Director, South America.
Governments and citizens of the world agree that animals matter. Wider government support will help convince the United Nations to highlight the importance of animals to the international community. In addition, more than 2 million citizens, representing every country of the world, agree that animals deserve to be treated fairly and that their needs must be respected.
In a meeting with WSPA campaigners last month, Mexico’s Commission for the Environment signed an official agreement that it would push the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs for to officially support a UDAW.
“Many strides have been made in protecting human vulnerability, but there is much to do for those less able to defend themselves, such as animals,” said Francisco Ramírez Acuña, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico.
Mexican officials said the Secretariat should reach a view on supporting this vital animal welfare initiative at the United Nations in September. If Mexico gives full support for a Declaration in this forum, they will join 40 other nations from across the world in recognising that animals matter.
“Gaining the support of the Chamber of Deputies’ Commission for the Environment is a big step,” said Marcela Vargas, WSPA Programmes Director.
UDAW is an agreement between governments and people to recognise that animals are sentient beings, capable of suffering. By signing it, governments agree to respect animals’ needs and put an end to cruelty.
Indonesia has joined the campaign to have animal welfare recognised in international law, with the Ministry of Agriculture adding its name to the growing list.
In a letter backing the UDAW initiative, the Ministry stated its support for animal welfare as an emerging and global issue. With more than 230 million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world – so its support for UDAW is a great leap forward for both humans and animals.
Saneekan Rosamontri, campaigner at WSPA, said: “We are delighted to have Indonesia on board.”
Delhi, 17 February 2010 - Indian national Shashi Tharoor pledged his support for the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) at the United Nations (UN). By doing so, Mr Tharoor became the two millionth signatory to support the Animals Matter Campaign.
Best known for serving as the Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information during the term of Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the United Nations (UN), Shashi Tharoor is also a well known and respected politician, humanitarian and author. He is currently Minister of State for External Affairs in India.
Dr Tharoor explained to representatives from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) he will support the initiative by ‘promoting the Indian cultural ethos of animal welfare, upheld by Mahatma Ghandi and so many great Indians’. Dr Tharoor then shared his support for the recognition of animal welfare at the UN with his 655,312 supporters on his own twitter page.
Growing momentum
On that very same day, the Indian Minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, announced his support the UDAW initiative at the United Nations. Previously, the Animal Welfare Board of India gave its support for the development of a UDAW.
Dr Tharoor agreed to become the 2 millionth signatory of the Animals Matter to Me campaign, hereby joining two million people from every country in the world who have stated their belief that animals deserve to be treated humanely and their needs respected.
You too can join the campaign for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
An Indian government minister has added his voice to growing calls for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW).
Jairem Ramesh, Minister of Environment & Forests in India, said:“As an Indian, animal welfare is part of my dharma, and it has become my karma now!”
India was the first country to have animal protection written into its constitution and similarly, the first to have a government Board dedicated to animal welfare issues.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests is in charge of animal welfare in India.
WSPA now hopes that Minister Ramesh will encourage support within his Ministry and the Government of India, increasing support for the development of a UDAW at the United Nations.
Justine Holmes, Head of the campaign for a UDAW, said: “We are delighted that the Minister has decided to give the UDAW campaign its firm approval. India’s close affinity with animal welfare makes it an essential player to support steps towards recognition of animal welfare and achievement of a UDAW at the UN”.
Minister Ramesh joins a growing list of Environment Ministers endorsing a UDAW in recent months including Brazil, Chile and Thailand.
WSPA is excited to confirm Bolivia and Nicaragua’s full governmental support for the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. Once endorsed at the United Nations, a Declaration will constitute the biggest EVER single step forward for animal protection worldwide.
Both nations recognise that a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) would go beyond helping animals – better animal care also benefits people, especially the world’s poorest communities, and the environment. Read case studies »
Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged this when announcing support, saying it “constitutes one of its strategic pillars on improving food security and sovereignty, as well as considering that animal welfare is essential to provide consumers with healthy and top quality products.”
In Nicaragua, the Ministry’s counterpart stated that it “recognises the important role animals play in the environmental balance and their effect on the quality of life of Nicaraguan society and the world.”
They join 35 other governments – including the entire European Union.
Recognising responsibilities
Following this amazing new support, Latin America is now both sending and receiving a strong message about the responsibility of individuals and governments to end animal cruelty.
”With the support of Bolivia, we are one step further to ensure that animal welfare is recognised as an issue of great importance for the region. The support displayed by the government … is a sign of their willingness to improve the quality of life for animals and protect the rich biodiversity the country fosters. This is an example to be followed by others, since animal welfare is a global issue”, said Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Regional Director for WSPA South America.
Their support reflects a recent championing of animal welfare:
· In 2009, Bolivia passed a groundbreaking anti-cruelty law prohibiting the use of wild and domestic animals in circuses. In addition, an animal protection law – notably including the welfare of animals bred for meat – is being discussed by the national congress.
· Nicaragua, who first made a move to support a UDAW on Earth Day, is poised to approve a new animal welfare law that seeks to improve conditions for pets and wildlife.
A snowball of support
WSPA believes this latest support sets a fantastic regional precedent. Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica have all recently made significant progress towards full government support for the development of a UDAW.
Widespread, high-level backing will help convince the UN that animal welfare is an issue that they must highlight within the international community, by endorsing a Declaration.
“We are extremely pleased that the [Nicaraguan] Foreign Ministry … gave its firm support for a UDAW. This could generate a snowball effect in the region and can be a great motivation for others to support this important initiative”, said Marcela Vargas, Programme Manager for WSPA Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
What will you do for animals?
Not only governments can make change happen. More than two million people, representing every country in the world, have stated their belief that animals deserve to be treated humanely and their needs respected.
Will you join them? Will you support a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare?
Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment made a big step forward for animal wellbeing this month by stating official support, in principle, for the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) is a proposed set of principles which, if endorsed by the United Nations, will result in international recognition on animal welfare as a key part of worldwide social development.
Animals matter to … the environment
This particular Thai ministry – the second to back a UDAW – is relevant as animal welfare matters not only to animals and people, but it also to the environment, which can be positively affected by better wildlife husbandry and the protection of animals to standards backed by science.
In a letter backing the UDAW initiative, the Ministry stated its support for animal welfare as an issue of global importance – one that forms an integral part of national and international conservation and environmental policies.
Firm foundation for further action
Since 2008, over 30,000 Thais have stated their support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW); they all want to see their country recognise the importance of meeting animals’ needs.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has already stated its official support through its Department of Livestock Development. The Department has also publicly cemented its position on animal welfare by developing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Animal Welfare Act, already approved by the cabinet.
With both public and ministerial support, WSPA has a strong case to seek full Thai government backing for the Declaration.
As a nation, Thailand could join 37 governments as well as millions of individuals worldwide by publicly calling on the United Nations to recognise animal welfare as an integral part of sustainable development and backing a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
Do animals matter to you? Find out more about the campaign for a UDAW and how you can get involved »
