THERE is growing interest in animal welfare by the media, governmental and non-governmental organisations worldwide of late. Many countries, especially Europe and the United States, are redrafting their animal welfare legislation according to science-base evidence and cultural views.
There is ample scientific evidence to show that animals have feelings and can express various emotions (sentient).
After several years of discussions with animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders, the government finally drafted a new Animal Welfare bill, which is expected to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat by the end of this year. There is a global campaign to seek the support of the public and governments to introduce a new animal welfare declaration in the United Nations.
The Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare, which was originally conceived by the World Society For The Protection Of Animals (WSPA), if adopted and endorsed by the UN, will acknowledge the importance of the sentience of animals and human responsibilities towards them.
The principles were designed to encourage and enable governments to introduce and improve animal protection legislation and initiatives. The future of animal welfare, according to WSPA, lies in achieving international recognition that animals matter.
So far, according to the WSPA website news, about two million people have already added their voice and 330 animal groups and 46 governments have indicated their support. According to WSPA, a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) would be an agreement among people and nations that:
ANIMALS are sentient and can suffer.
ANIMALS’ welfare needs must
be respected.
ANIMAL cruelty must end for good.
If the proposed drafted UDAW is adopted, it would:
ESTABLISH animal welfare as an international issue.
ENCOURAGE governments to improve and enforce national animal welfare legislation by providing a benchmark.
RECOGNISE that animal welfare is a key factor in humanitarian and environmental policymaking.
ENCOURAGE industries which use animals to keep welfare at the forefront.
ACKNOWLEDGE the risks to animals caused by environmental factors such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution.
CREATE a more compassionate global attitude to animal welfare, including their needs and habitats.
S.P., Ipoh, Perak