Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in UAE announced recently Ministerial Resolution on animal care. The announcement was made at the second UAE National Conference on Animal Welfare, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MoCCAE, in collaboration with Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, IFAW.

Running on November 11 and 12, the conference reinforces the UAE's keenness to monitor animal welfare procedures in the country and ensure they conform to the highest international standards. The plan will unite efforts exerted by the private and public sector and individuals to raise awareness of the matter and ensure implementation of laws focusing on aspects such as slaughterhouses, transport, markets and farms, and wildlife and stray animals.

In 2016, the first edition of the conference helped ensure animal welfare is paramount in the UAE and share the UAE's experience in this area with a regional and international audience. To build on the success of the first edition, the Ministry is organizing the event regularly and make it a platform for sharing best practices and accelerate a collective action.

The conference saw today the participation of experts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, and Jordan. In addition, local and international organizations such as the World Health Organization, Dubai Equestrian Club, Emirates Animal Welfare Society, and Emirates Dog Owners Society are also represented at the conference. UAE-based participants include stakeholders from environmental agencies, local and regional municipalities, police departments, the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre, Tadweer, and academic institutions such as the Higher Colleges of Technology and the UAE University.

The conference discussed challenges facing animal welfare organizations, enhance cooperation among regional animal welfare entities, achieve concurrence on national action priorities, analyze the requirements to develop a national animal welfare policy, and monitor its impact on overall health, environment and economic growth. It also discusses the challenges faced in handling and preserving animals.

In addition to providing an overview of the principles of animal welfare, the UAE National Conference on Animal Welfare will also focus on owning companion and dangerous animals, highlight regional animal welfare programmes in the Middle East and also touches upon global programmes, review the efforts of MoCCAE and local authorities in handling all matters related to owning dangerous animals, as well as discuss the correlation between organic agriculture and animal welfare.

Courtesy: Khaleej Times