H.E Dr. Al Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment inaugurated the First National Conference on Animal Welfare, organised by the Ministry from 2-3 November, 2016 at the World Trade Center in Dubai. The Conference is the first national conference ever within the country and the region concerning animal welfare in Dubai.
The conference is attended by Dr. Matthew Stone, Deputy Director General of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), representatives and experts from OIE, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Australian Cattle Program as well as representatives from local, regional and global authorities and students the Veterinary Medicine Department at UAE University.
The conference aims at developing a common perception and promoting cooperation between concerned authorities in the field of animal welfare, as well as reaching an agreement on the priorities for action at national level. It also aims at analysing the requirements to develop a national policy in this field and its impact on the economic growth, health and environment.
H.E Dr. Al Thani Al Zeyoudi said: “The conference is the first of its kind in the region and it underlines UAE’s special attention on the constant follow-up of the animal welfare procedures and its development in accordance with the best international standards and practices to build an integrated platform for the animal welfare.”
The conference will also discuss a set of issues related to the animal welfare including the relevant federal and local laws in the country and challenges faced by the concerned authorities.
The conference will also shed light on the world’s best practices including Australian experience and role of civil organisations in addition to the principles of animal care and international terms and conditions for animal transportation and slaughterhouses.
The conference will also witness workshops on the related legislations, mechanisms of cooperation, organisations, monitoring, law implementation etc.
The conference is expected to come up with clear national laws to tackle the current challenges in the UAE in the field of implementing globally accepted animal welfare principles.