How we work

A coalition

ICFAW is a coalition of international global animal welfare organizations working together with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to improve the welfare of animals globally. The coalition is dedicated to improving the welfare of farm animals (on farms, during transport and at slaughter), companion animals, working animals, wildlife and animals used for research and education, sporting and entertainment.

Vison

The ongoing refinement and enhancement of WOAH animal welfare standards will reflect advances in animal welfare science and ethically based societal expectations. This enhancement of standards will be complemented by improvement in effective implementation of adopted standards by WOAH members, with the active involvement, where appropriate and where there is a consensus, of ICFAW in developing projects by member organisations and supporting WOAH-led, or other agreed, promotion and implementation initiatives.

WOAH values its partnership with ICFAW, whose membership will be truly international and include experience and expertise to cover all species.

Mission

Our mission is:

To work towards the highest possible animal welfare standards globally through active cooperative participation in WOAH’s consultation process of developing internationally recognized animal health and welfare standards.

To provide a forum for information sharing and discussion on matters of common interest and, when there is a consensus, international cooperation among animal protection NGOs to present a strong, clear and unified common position on the implementation, enforcement and promotion of WOAH animal welfare standards, to improve the lives of animals.

To bring together the collective expertise and experience of the world-wide animal protection NGO community to contribute to WOAH activities related to animal welfare.

To encourage WOAH and its member states to implement the animal welfare standards and guidelines as a basic minimum.

To support WOAH activities to promote animal welfare standards including through organising training courses, events, talks, materials, raising awareness and enhancing capacity.

ICFAW/WOAH Memorandum of Understanding

In May 2018, ICFAW signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WOAH, which represented an important development in ICFAW’s relationship with WOAH and the increased trust and engagement between the two organisations. The MoU sets out obligations that both partners need to meet. In June 2022 the MoU was renewed for another four years. 

The modalities of cooperation include

• Participating in the standard-setting process for animal welfare standards;

• Collaborating in support of the WOAH Regional Animal Welfare Strategies and Platforms through the ICFAW Regional Working Groups and WOAH Regional and Subregional Representations.

• Contributing to relevant activities to strengthen the role and responsibilities of the Veterinary Services in relation to animal welfare;

• Contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and animal welfare outcomes;

• Supporting the development of scientific and technical material and events aimed at promoting best practices for animal welfare related topics;

• Contributing to relevant capacity building activities in support of implementation of animal welfare standards such as training seminars for WOAH Animal Welfare Focal Points, veterinarians and veterinarian paraprofessionals;

• Sharing positions on issues of common interest to animal welfare NGOs, as represented by ICFAW, and the WOAH.

Governance

ICFAW’s work is implemented by a Steering Committee and Regional Working Groups. The Steering Committee includes the current ICFAW Chair, Secretary and the Chairs of each Regional Working Group, plus additional representatives to ensure that members of the Steering Committee have expertise covering farm animals, working animals, wildlife, companion animals and disaster management. The Regional Working Groups coordinate ICFAW work in each of the five regions as defined by the WOAH. Additionally, working groups are organized to work on topical issues as necessary.

The current Steering Committee members are:

Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare - ICFAW Chair
Clara Gobbe, World Federation for Animals - ICFAW Secretary
Tozie Zokufa, Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations - Chair of the Africa Regional Working Group
Carolina Maciel, World Federation for Animals - Chair of the Americas Regional Working Group
Jeff Zhou, Compassion in World Farming - Chair of the Asia, Far East and Oceania Working Group
Alexandra Hammond-Seaman, RSPCA - Chair of the Europe Regional Working Group
Julia Havenstein, Animals’ Angels - Chair of the Middle East Regional Working Group
Laura Skippen, Brooke - Chair of the One Welfare Working Group

Why the WOAH?

The WOAH leads the development of standards for animal welfare which have been agreed by the WOAH’s 182 member countries. These standards include the welfare of farm animals (husbandry, transport and slaughter), stray dog population control, working equines, animals in research and the slaughter and transport of aquatic animals. The WOAH also provides training to national Animal Welfare Focal Points. Through standard-setting and training, the WOAH raises the ambition and ability of countries worldwide to meaningfully improve animal welfare.

Case Studies