The welfare of working equids was initially identify one of five priority topics of the second Action Plan (2017-2019) of the Platform on animal welfare for Europe. In many countries of the region, equids (horses, mules, and donkeys) are still used as a drafting power for agriculture and transportation, especially in rural areas and play an important economic role.
The poor welfare of these animals remains an important challenge, and raising countries’ awareness of the newly adopted Chapter 7.12 on the welfare of working equids of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code is a first step to improving this situation and paving the way for future capacity-building activities.
The second Action Plan (2017-2019) of the OIE Platform includes several activities on the welfare of working equids, focusing initially on raising awareness of working equids welfare issues in the countries of the region.
The welfare of working equids remains among priority topics of the Platform for in the 3rd Action Plan (2020-2023) and 4th Action Plan (2024-2026)
.
The regional online event on the welfare of working equids
was held on 12th September 2023, with objectives to:
The meeting was organised in collaboration with the International Coalition for Working Equids and the European Union Reference Centre For Animal Welfare Ruminants & Equines.
Read moreEvent on the welfare of working equids
(27th June 2024, Madrid)
The dedicated event on the welfare of working equids was held on 27th June 2024 as a back-to-back session to the regional training seminar for WOAH National Focal Points on Animal Welfare.
The workshop was organised with technical and financial support from the International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE)
The event covered :
The event showed the importance of working in collaboration on the topic toward progress in improving the welfare of working equids
Building on the momentum created with the online meeting (September 2023) and in-person event (2024) series of follow up activities proposed.
Read more
