New animal welfare standards agreed by OIE - UK - New standards to help safeguard the welfare of animals transported by road and sea have been agreed at a major conference in Paris. The new guidelines also give increased welfare protection to animals prior to slaughter for human consumption as well those killed to control the spread of disease.

The conference was organised by the World Organisation for Animal Health a group also known by its original named the OIE - Organisation International des Epizooties.

The agreement will help set best practice standards of animal welfare across the organisation's 167 member countries.

The agreement is a major step forward as it provides a basis for the development of new or improved animal welfare laws in many countries.

Minister for Animal Welfare, Ben Bradshaw, said: "The British Government supports the slaughter of animals for human consumption as close to their point of production as possible but it recognises that in many parts of the world it is necessary to transport animals long distances.

"These standards have been welcomed by the industry, veterinarians and many welfare organisations and if implemented would greatly reduce the risk to the welfare of animals posed by their transport, slaughter or killing.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Dr Debby Reynolds the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "These standards have benefited by combining the knowledge of international scientists from all around the world with the practical experience of the industries."

Source: Defra - 26th May 2005