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Chapter 10 Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare This is a copy of a draft of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare drawn up by a number of prominent animal welfare organisations - see the entry 'Universal Declaration on Animals'. PREAMBLE The Manila Conference on Animal Welfare recognizes: That animal welfare is an issue worth consideration by governments. That the promotion of animal welfare requires collective action and all stakeholders and affected parties must be involved. That work on animal welfare is a continuous process A PROPOSAL FOR A DECLARATION ON ANIMAL WELFARE ARISING FROM THE MANILA CONFERENCE RECOGNIZING that animals are living, sentient beings and therefore deserve due consideration and respect; RECOGNIZING that animal welfare includes animal health; RECOGNIZING that humans share this planet with other species and other forms of life and that all forms of life co-exist within an interdependent ecosystem; RECOGNIZING that, although there are significant social, economic, religious and cultural differences between human societies, each should care for and treat animals in a humane and sustainable manner; AGREEING that the term nation includes peoples, civil society and the state; ACKNOWLEDGING that many nations already have a system of legal protection for animals, both domestic and wild; SEEKING to ensure the continued effectiveness of these systems and the development of better and more comprehensive animal welfare provisions; ACKNOWLEDGING that the humane use of animals can have major benefits for humans; AWARE that the "five freedoms (freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour)" and the "three Rs (reduction in numbers of animals, refinement of experimental methods and replacement of animals with nonanimal techniques)" provide valuable guidance for the use of animals; RECOGNIZING that the provisions contained in this declaration do not affect the rights of any nation; PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION: 1. The welfare of animals shall be a common objective for all nations; 2. The standards of animal welfare attained by each nation shall be promoted, recognized and observed by improved measures, nationally and internationally, respecting social and economic considerations and religious and cultural traditions; 3. All appropriate steps shall be taken by nations to prevent cruelty to animals and to reduce their suffering; 4. Appropriate standards on the welfare of animals be further developed and elaborated such as, but not limited to, those governing the use and management of farm animals, companion animals, animals in scientific research, draught animals, wildlife animals and animals in recreation. ›› To Entries & Home |