28th June 2022: WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for Middle East in Abu Dhabi: Webinar on Animal Welfare with Emphasis on Dromedary Camels
In line with the WOAH mandates on animal welfare, the WOAH Sub-Regional Representation in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW), organised a two-hours virtual webinar on animal welfare with special emphasis on camel welfare.
Dromedary camels have a significant influence on people’s lives, as an essential source of food and entertainment in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In the last decades, the way camels are kept the GCC is shifting from nomadic husbandry to modern farming and management systems while the availability of science-based information about camel-specific welfare standards and measurements remains scarce and limited, leading to a relative knowledge gap in the field of intensive and semi-intensive housing systems starting to prevail in the region.
Accordingly, the objectives of the webinar were
To shed light on the WOAH welfare standards and global strategy, to strengthen the awareness and knowledge of national veterinary services including the veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals in the region, on the pillars of the WOAH strategy, and enhance their capacities to communicate this knowledge to the concerned government departments, animal owners and the wider public.
To support member countries' capabilities of animal welfare policies development, implementation, and governance by fostering liaison with animal welfare experts and relevant international non-governmental organisations.
To help the working veterinarian identify gaps and neglected areas that require the development of additional animal welfare standards; and provide overall guidance and advocacy for science-based animal welfare standards, using the best scientific and practical expertise on animal welfare.
To contribute to the implementation of the global and regional animal welfare strategies (RAWS) and provide species-specific mechanisms for developing animal welfare policies, legislation, and measurements appropriate to the regional context, via promoted understanding, communication, and training.
To shed light on the Protocol for Scoring the Welfare Status of Dromedary Camels published by the ICFAW member Animals’ Angles and walk participants through the scientific bases of calculating a Total Welfare Index and relevant scoring system.
The webinar was opened by Dr. Montserrat Arroyo from WOAH Headquarters (DDG International Standards and Science) and included welcome remarks by Dr Mohammed Alhosani, Director of the WOAH Sub-Regional Representation in Abu Dhabi and by Dr Majd Mohamed Azmi Naser Alherbawi representing the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates. It furthermore included speeches by Leopoldo Stuardo, Scientific Coordinator – Animal Welfare, Standards Department at WOAH Headquarters, Prof Dr. Barbara Padalino from Bologna University, Prof Dr. Raziq Kakar, Livestock Specialist in Abu Dhabi and Julia Havenstein, Regional Lead for the Middle East of ICFAW. Participants had the possibility to ask questions via the chat and the session was concluded by polling questions to the audience and closing remarks by Dr Tariq Taha from the WOAH Sub-Regional Representation in Abu Dhabi.
The event met with great interest among the veterinarians and experts in the region. Participants contribute to the discussion, highlighting relevant matters related to camel welfare.
The take-home message of the event was that further research in the field of camel welfare is needed as well as the legal framework in all GCC countries to advance the implementation of the WOAH standards in the region.