The veterinarian role in welfare

Abstract

Public concerns about animal welfare are well documented in worldwide. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is taking a lead in harmonizing animal welfare standards for veterinary profession in member countries. Veterinary profession have a wide range of expertise and skills that make veterinarians unique in their understanding of animal behaviour and animal welfare. They have the pragmatism to examine and assess the welfare of animals in their environment and to make recommendations to improve welfare where that is required. Veterinarians can contribute to animal welfare in a number of ways such as addressing food security and animal welfare issues; human-animal interactions and their impact on animals; the role of intensive vs extensive production systems; slaughter and pre-slaughter inspections; identifying social, economic and cultural drivers of welfare outcomes; developing strategies to address painful husbandry procedures, and distress associated with road, sea and air transport, euthanasia, and disaster preparedness; human responsibilities to wild animals; and animal abuse. Therefore, a veterinarian needs to remain visible, active and relevant in this important part of animal welfare science as their professional responsibilities. In 2005, the OlE drafted the first ever global standards for animal welfare and new standard continue to be added. These standards have been ratified by all of the organization's member state countries. Bangladesh is an OIE member state, so it should be committed to implementing the standards.