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“Improving animal welfare: a practical approach”
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Animal Welfare Workshops
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DG Sanco
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organised in co-operation with
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Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE),
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Ministry of Agriculture
Latvian Veterinary Association
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Venue :
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Riga,
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19-20 April 2012
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Aim of the workshop:
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This workshop aims to provide veterinarians a deeper understanding of animal welfare, will focus per species on the animal welfare legislation applicable, the critical welfare issues and species-specific welfare assessment schemes.
The workshop will be true to the slogan “prevention is better than cure”.
The health of animals is as important as their well-being. Health and welfare cannot be seen as separate issues. A weakened health status will affect the animals’ welfare and when welfare is compromised, the animals will be more susceptible to infections and disease.
The veterinary profession – as knowledgeable and accountable professionals – has an important responsibility in promoting and assuring the health and welfare of animals. This will not only benefit the animals concerned but also to their owners as happy healthy animals are profitable animals.
In addition, veterinary surgeons have an important role in providing expertise and knowledge to the general public and animal keepers as well as to policy makers.
The workshop will consist of both a theoretical as a practical on-farm session, where participants can bring their theoretical knowledge in practice.
This workshop is the third is a series. The first one was held in Budapest and the second in Barcelona. This third workshop in Riga is mainly targeted at veterinary farm animal practitioners and official veterinarians from the Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine and Nordic countries. Some places will be reserved for veterinary or animal health related students and producers.
A specific working group will be formed for veterinarians involved with wild animals in captivity.
Want to see how the Barcelona workshop went? Have a look at the video on: http://www.onetec.be/animalwelfare/barcelona.html
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Day I: Thursday 19 April 2012
SECTION 1 – Why should we care more about AW?
Chair: Aivars BÄ”rziÅ+š (tbc)
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9.30
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Participants registration and welcome coffee
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10:00
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Opening of conference by chairman: Aivars BÄ”rziÅ+š
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10:05
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Opening presentations by:
– A. Gavinelli, Head of the Animal Welfare Unit of DG Health and Consumers
– C. Buhot, FVE President
– Mr. Jofee: Head of the “BIOR” institute
– Mrs. Laimdota Straujuma: Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia
– MÄris Balodis: Chief Veterinary Officer Latvia
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10.20
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Importance of Animal Welfare in Latvia and the role of veterinarians
IlmÄrs DūrÄ«tis: dean of Veterinary Medicine Faculty Jelgava
MÄra Viduža: President Latvian Veterinary Association
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10.50
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The future European Union Animal Welfare Strategy: towards a new model of governance
A. GAVINELLI, Head of the Animal Welfare Unit of DG Health and Consumers
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11.10
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Welfare on farm: beyond the five freedoms
Prof C. WATHES, Professor of Animal Welfare @ Royal Veterinary College, Chair FAWC (confirmed)
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11: 30
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New perspectives in Animals and the law
Prof Dr. Teresa Giménez-Candela, Universitat Autonoma (confirmed)
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11.50
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Communication: Improving advising strategies
Dr. Katharine Leach (confirmed)
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12.30
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Questions & Answers
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12.50
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FVE/ Conclusions and House keeping messages
Nancy DE BRIYNE, FVE
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13.00
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Lunch
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Day I: Thursday 19 April 2012
SECTION 2 – Species specific workshops: Legislation, Animal Welfare Assessment tools and critical issues Session
All participants will be divided in 4 groups of maximum 30 participants per group. The 4 groups will be:
– a working group on poultry
– a working group on cattle
– a working group on pigs
– a working group on Wild animals in Captivity
Monday afternoon: Theoretical session from 14:30 – 17.30
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POULTRY SESSION
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Chairs:
· European Poultry Expert: Stefan Gunnarsson (confirmed), SLU, Sweden
· European Poultry Expert: Knut Niebuhr (confirmed), Austria
· Latvian Poultry Experts: Dace Lauska: Senior officer of the Division of Animal Trade, Welfare and Feed, Ministry of Agriculture, Latvia
· Latvian Poultry Experts: RudÄ«te VÄrna, Deputy head of Division of Farm Surveillance , Food and Veterinary Service
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14.30
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Poultry welfare Legislation: Introduction and current challenges
By Latvian Poultry Experts
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15.00
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Discussion critical welfare issues and possible solutions in
– Broiler chickens: microclimate, litter quality, stocking density, … Laying hens: e.g. housing systems, beak trimming, ..
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16.00
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Assessment of welfare in poultry flocks
– Introduction to assessment on farm – practical demonstration and video examples – creating a ‘checklist’
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17.00
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Practical preparation of site visits (aspects for examinations, forming of groups, etc.)
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17.30
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End of Day 1
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CATTLE SESSION
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Chairs:
Spanish Cattle Expert: Xavier Manteca Vilanova (confirmed)
European Cattle Expert: Mounier Luc, Unité Gestion des élevages, VetAgro Sup Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon (confirmed)
Latvian Cattle Expert: Liene Ansone, Head of Division of Anima Trade, Welfare and Feed of Ministry of agriculture, Latvia
Latvian Cattle Expert: Peteris Damberg, veterinarian at “Agrera” LTD
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14.30
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Cattle Legislation: Introduction and current challenges
By Latvian Cattle experts
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15.00
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Critical Animal Welfare Issues with Cattle:
– Overall cattle welfare issues: feeding, housing, …
– Dairy cows: housing (space, ventilation, feed/water), feeding, lameness, dehorning, mastitis,…
– Fattening bulls:housing, castration, …
– Veal Calves: housing, feeding/watering
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16.00
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Assessment of welfare in cattle
– Introduction to assessment on farm – practical demonstration and video examples – creating a ‘checklist’
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17.00
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Practical preparation of site visits (aspects for examinations, forming of groups, etc.)
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PIG SESSION
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Chairs:
European Pig Expert: Lena Eliasson, SLU, Sweden
European Pig Expert: Antoni Dalmau, IRTA, Spain
Latvian Pig Expert: Kristaps MelbÄrbis, Association of Latvian Pig Breeders
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14.30
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Pig Legislation: Introduction and current challenges
Kristaps MelbÄrbis, Association of Latvian Pig Breeders
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15.00
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Critical Animal Welfare Issues with Pigs
– Sows and Piglets: housing, weaning, microclimate, ..
– Fattening pigs: housing, castration, tail biting, microclimate, ..
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16.00
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Assessment of welfare in pig farms
– Introduction to assessment on farm – practical demonstration and video examples – creating a ‘checklist’
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17.00
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Practical preparation of site visits (aspects for examinations, forming of groups, etc.)
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WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY SESSION
Session organised in collaboration with:
· Riga Zoo
· Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, University of Edinburgh
· Born Free Foundation
· European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV)
· FVE and the European Commission (DG Sanco, DG ENV)
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Chair: European wild animals in captivity expert: Dr. Heather Bacon BSc (Hons), BVSc, CertZooMed, MRCVS
Latvian wild animal experts: Guna VÄ«tola, Head of animal collection, Riga national zoo park
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14.30
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EU Legislation : Introduction and current challenges
Jorge SAVIO – European Commission, DG Environment (confirmed) |
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14:50
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Keeping wild animals in captivity: Are conditions meeting EC legislative requirements?
Daniel TURNER – Programmes Manager – Global animal welfare, Born Free Foundation |
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15.10
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Welfare challenges in a European zoo
Riga Zoo Dr. Benita Drapče |
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15:30
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Introduction to welfare science and the importance of welfare in captive wildlife
Dr Sonya HILL, Chester zoo, UK (confirmed) |
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16:20
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Methods of welfare assessment of captive wildlife
EAZA |
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16:40
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A holistic approach to captive wildlife welfare
Heather BACON, JMICAWE, University of Edinburgh |
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17:10
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Questions and answers
Practical preparation of site visit |
– Day II: Friday 20 April 2012
Continuation of SECTION 2 – Practical Aspect of the Species specific workshops: Legislation, Animal Welfare Assessment tools and critical issues Session
Tuesday 8.00 – 16.00
Practical Sessions in Poultry Farm, Cattle Farm, Pig Farm and Zoo
Group assessment activity (small groups work together to carry out assessment activity in the animal house)
Group present their assessment findings – and group feedback the relevance of animal assessment to use in local farms and local situation
SECTION 3 Concluding Session
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16.00
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Plenary meeting
– 4*15 min presentation of findings/results by each working group
– Concluding remarks and farewell message
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17:00
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Network reception
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18.00
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End of the meeting
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