Animal Welfare

a Scientific, Ethical, Economical and Political Topic

Abstract

Animal Welfare (AW) is a complex topic, which has scientific, ethical, economical, political and even cultural and religious aspects. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recognises the strong relationship between health and welfare, and therefore includes AW as one of the priorities in its strategic plans. According to FAO, a relationship exists between the use of animals for different purposes and human welfare. Data from Uruguay, from audits on meat quality and from research by the Veterinary Faculty, indicated that 50% of the slaughtered animals had at least one traumatic lesion subject to confiscation, showing reduced AW and important economic losses. In Uruguay the OIE Collaborative Animal Welfare Centre was created between the Veterinary Faculty and the Universidad Austral of Chile, as a reference for the Americas, and in March 2009, the Law 18.471 about AW and responsible ownership of animals was approved. The purpose of this Law is the protection of animals in their lifetime and their welfare, and puts special emphasis on pet animals and some articles mention production animals. The aim of this paper is to approach AW from as many angles as possible, and mainly from the angle of this new Law, with which we all have to cooperate so that its implementation means progress and not a barrier for the country.