The regional workshop on animal welfare during slaughter and the development of national animal welfare action plans took place from 11 to 13 February 2024 in Tirana, Albania.
It brought together 32 participants, including representatives from 12 WOAH Members and five experts in the field. The workshop was funded by the European Union and kindly hosted by Albania.
This workshop focused on identifying capacity-building needs and supporting WOAH Members in developing comprehensive national training programmes on animal welfare during slaughter.
Expert presentations provided an overview of ethical considerations, the current legal framework, and technical aspects of animal welfare during slaughter, along with associated challenges. Special emphasis was placed on the recently revised Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 7.5. on animal welfare during slaughter. Participants shared insights into their countries’ current status, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges. Interactive group exercises enabled participants to identify key challenges and develop outlines for training programs and stakeholder engagement strategies aimed at improving animal welfare during slaughter.
The workshop underscored the importance of structured collaboration, harmonised training programmes, the exchange of best practices, and a regional approach to enhancing animal welfare practices during slaughter. It also served as a preparatory step for the development of the upcoming Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on animal welfare during slaughter, scheduled for late 2025. (the detailed meeting agenda is below)
This workshop guided WOAH Members in formulating sustainable, multi-annual national action plans to improve long-term animal welfare management.
Participants presented an overview of their countries’ current landscape and policy developments and identified key priorities and challenges. The workshop also provided an opportunity to showcase methodological approaches, tools, and concrete examples for developing context-specific action plans. The workshop concluded with an interactive group exercise, allowing countries to engage in discussions and propose practical solutions for strengthening their national action plans.
The workshop highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and strategic planning, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing animal welfare standards across the region.
As a pilot initiative, the workshop received positive feedback, encouraging further collaboration with WOAH Members to explore additional activities that support the implementation of WOAH standards. (the detailed meeting agenda is below)
Regional workshop on animal welfare during slaughter
| DAY 1: 11 February 2025 | |
| Session 1: Introduction | |
| Welcome message, opening remarks and presentation of the objectives of the workshop | K. Margariti (Delegate of Albania)
E. Hamelin |
| WOAH Global Animal Welfare Strategy | T. Grudnik |
| Regional Platform on animal welfare for Europe | T. Grudnik |
| Session 2: Animal welfare during slaughter – legal framework | |
| Animal welfare during slaughter – ethical aspects and societal perception | T. Mikuš |
| Introduction (scope, hazards, animal-based measures, development and implementation of an operating plan) | A. Velarde |
| Arrival and unloading, lairage and handling | T. Mikuš |
| Restrain stunning and bleeding | A. Velarde |
| Slaughter without stunning | L. Iannetti |
| Protection of animals at slaughter/killing – European Union perspective” | E. Alaez Pons |
| Session 3: Understanding the countries’ situations and identifying key challenges | |
| Countries presentations. Overview of state of play: legislation, priority topics, resources, main challenges
· Albania · Armenia · Georgia · Kosovo* · Moldova · Serbia · Türkiye · Ukraine |
|
| Working group exercise – identifying key challenges |
| DAY 2: 12 February 2025 | |
| Session 4: Training resources | |
| WOAH Competency Framework and eLearning Platform | H. Abdelsattar |
| WOAH Training of Trainers approach | T. Grudnik |
| WOAH Member experience – Training programs | V. Ilieski (North Macedonia) |
| Knowledge and training resources (EURCAWs) | A. Velarde |
| Session 5: Developing training programmes | |
| Principles of developing training programmes | C. Albanello |
| Developing training programs – examples animal welfare during slaughter | L. Iannetti |
| Working group exercise – Developing a training programme (part 1) | |
| WOAH Public-private Partnership Framework | H. Abdelsattar |
| The role of regional stakeholders (RAWC) | A. Hammond Seaman / T. Mikuš |
| Working group exercise – Developing a training programme (part 2) | |
| Closing remarks |
Regional workshop on developing national action plans for animal welfare
| DAY 1: 13 February 2025 | |
| Session 1: Introduction | |
| Welcome, opening remarks and presentation of the objectives of the workshop | E. Hamelin |
| Building the Action Plan of the Platform on Animal Welfare for Europe | T. Grudnik |
| Session 2: Understanding the country’s situation and identifying key challenges | |
| Countries presentations – overview of state of play – legislation, priority topics, resources, main challenges:
· Albania · Armenia · Georgia · Kosovo* · Moldova · Serbia · Türkiye · Ukraine |
|
| WOAH Member experience – National Action Plan for animal welfare | M. Correia |
| Methodology to build an action plan – theory of change | A. Hammond Seaman / T. Mikuš |
| WOAH PVS Pathway – A way to progress | H. Abdelsattar |
| Session 3: Developing plans working group exercise | |
| Working group exercise
Identifying key topics Establishing an action plan for each key topic Reporting and discussion |
|
| Closing remarks |
* References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)
