ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. NINU ZAMMIT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE ? CONFERENCE CENTRE, BAY STREET HOTEL COMPLEX 28.04.2001

Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to have the opportunity to address you this morning about such an important issue. I am aware of the fact that, together, we can synergies our experiences and our potentials in order to enhance and formulate regulations for the benefit of our local animal welfare in general.

I need not assume that each and everyone present is an ardent adherent of animal welfare. Our presence here is tangible proof, if proof there need be, that the seed in favour of animal welfare that was planted way back in the early sixties has produced fruit or positive results in abundance!

You may recall that since circa 40 years ago we have had several publications related to t animal welfare. Amongst these one may cite publications such as 'Silent Spring" and "Animal Machines" from both sides of the Atlantic. Apart from introducing new concepts in relation to animal welfare, these books also triggered a new way of thinking in society as regards the welfare of animals. In particular, the "writing on the wall" that was highlighted in these particular publications helped to bring to the fore the repercussions of modern' intensive animal production more popularly referred to as "factory farming".

Needless to say, these novel ideas acted as a catalyst to gradually modify the way the general public perceived agriculture, and in particular and specifically the branch of animal husbandry. As a result of the spread of these new notions, many of the comfortable and long-accepted assumptions of western society were being questioned and challenged. This new thinking brought to an end the widespread believe, even though shared by veterinarians and other professionals in the field, that farmers could be relied upon to look after the welfare of their animals.

This reliance of "taking care of" was not necessarily because of any sentimental attachment but because, it was assumed, that farm animal would not be productive if their welfare was compromised.

As things thus evolved, initially the concept of animal welfare was associated more with the prevention of cruelty to animals rather than with the promotion of the well being of animals. As a consequence, early general legislation in this regard focused more on preventing and punishing acts of outright cruelty and neglect. Gradually, it was realised that the well being of a "farm animal" was not necessarily linked to their productivity and should not therefore be gauged in production terms.

Since the above mentioned period, the consumer has shown an ever increasing awareness and interest in the way farm animals are kept, transported and slaughtered. This appreciative awareness has been accompanied by a multiplication of general public concern regarding animal welfare.

Mr Chairman, As a result of the foregoing, various animal welfare related policies and

Regulations have been formulated and adopted in different countries with the objective to protect animals.

In fact, a quick reference to EU Animal Welfare Legislation indicates that the European Community started its work on animal welfare legislation more than 25 years ago. The same legislation has since regularly been revised and its scope has been widened over the years.

In this sense, one may safely state that the objectives of our local proposed legislation are being designed to encompass general aims similar to those of the EU. The objectives of our animal welfare legislation, whilst ensuring that animals shall not have to endure avoidable pain or suffering, also oblige the owner/keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements. Our proposed legislation, which is in its final stages of completion, shall also provide for leeways to allow for the possible inclusion of extra regulations if the need arises.

In fact, Animal Welfare legislation is generally build on four main pillars, namely:

(1) Regulations related to rearing an/or breeding of animals "on the farm",

(2) Regulations related to transport of animals,

(3) Regulations to be observed and employed during the time of slaughter or killing, and

(4) Regulations related to breeding of animals for companionship as well as for sporting reasons.

Amongst the best known legislation one may mention the Treaty of Amsterdam which has been in force since May 1999, almost 2 years ago. By means of a special "Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals", this Treaty lays out new ground for rules and actions that may be adopted by the E~U. countries in order to ensure animal welfare in member states This Treaty also recognises that animals are sentient beings and therefore obliges the European Institutions to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and implementing community legislation.

Furthermore, in order to make possible the actuation of the stringent regulations stipulated in this protocol, the same Treaty also highlights the requirement that in the process of formulating and implementing the EU's agricultural, transport, internal market and research policies, the member States shall:

· pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals and, moreover,

· respect the legislative and administrative provisions and customs of the same Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In our quest for EU membership, we are obviously formulating and preparing our legislation in this field to be in line with the acquis. Within this scenario, it is pertinent to reiterate that the until recently the EU laws on animal welfare don the farm" covered three areas, namely laying hens, calves and pigs. In 1998, new rules and regulations extended the protection of animals to all species kept for the production of food, wool_, skin, fur or other farming purposes. Fish, reptiles and amphibians were also included.

As regards "on the farm animals", animal welfare rules reflect the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes These rules, referred to as the as the "five freedoms" comprise:

· Freedom from hunger and thirst - i.e. access to fresh water and a diet for full health and vigour,

· Freedom from discomfort - i.e. an appropriate environment with shelter and comfortable rest area,

· Freedom from pain, injury and disease - i.e. prevention or rapid treatment,

· Freedom to express normal behaviour - i.e. adequate space and facilities, plus company of animal's own kind,

· Freedom from fear and distress – i.e. conditions and treatment which avoid sufferings and stress.

Mr Chairman, As referred to earlier, TRANSPORT of animals also constitutes another important concern as regards animal welfare. In this regard, our proposed legislation should also incorporate regulations stipulating conditions on the route plan of the trip, the conditions of animals when loaded on transport vehicles (loading densities) and limits on the travelling times. This also applies to sea transport.

Of course, these RULES DO NOT MEAN THAT ANIMALS REARED FOR FOOD CAN NO LONGER BE KILLED OR EATEN It is the way or method of the killing activity that is regulated

Hence, in the light of animal welfare at the slaughtering stage, it must be recalled that killing animals is the most difficult act in the relationship between human beings and domestic animals, and this in spite of the fact that animals provide a source of food for humans. Our proposed legislation on slaughtering practices₃ like that of the EU₃ aims to be as humane as through the use of proper approved methods to stun and kill animals, which methods are to be based on scientific knowledge as well as on practical experience.

As regards food quality and food safety, the necessity of more animal welfare legislation need not be overemphasised It is common knowledge that after the recent food crises of BSE (commonly known as Mad Cow Disease) and of foot-and-mouth disease, public attention has focused on farm policy This highlighting of farm policy has resulted in a clamour for safer and higher quality food, which outcry fits exactly with the notion that financial aid to farmers in the livestock sector should be direct as an income supplement, and not related to or in proportion to the amount of production.

In this way financial aid will help to enhance the welfare of animals reared for food production. Furthermore, in order to win the consumers' support as well as in order to satisfy the demand of the general public, production methods:

(a) Must primarily meet animal welfare concerns and

(b) Must be seen to be environmentally sound,

(c) Must meet ever rising quality standards

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have taken the time allotted for this short introductory speech to put in the

basic principles related to Animal Welfare. As you are aware, this subject deserves much more attention as well as more intensive discussion between all interested parties With this in mind I look forward to hear your views on how best to deal with the issue of animal welfare specifically in our local environment in such a way that;

· firstly, further fine-tuning of the proposed legislation may ensue as a result of constructive suggestions made during this seminar, and

· secondly, in such a way that the implementation of this notion shall be carried out within the parameters of our cultural and heritage traditions,

In conclusion, it must be emphasised that the materialisation of our concept of animal welfare entails our persistent and consistent endeavour. As such we must synergies our efforts to ensure;

(1) the prevention of and the punishment of acts of ill-treatment of animals,

(2) (we must ensure) the protection of animals from undue labour and from working-conditions that are beyond and not consonant with their nature,

(3) (we must ensure) the promotion of the welfare of animals,

(4) and lastly, we must ensure that the State collaborates with voluntary organisations in the field of animal welfare, and that it is also the State's role to promote the culture of respect towards animals.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Ninu Zammit