As the WOAH recognises the challenges in implementing animal welfare standards in long distance transport of live animals by land and sea occurring in Europe and between Europe and the Middle East, the Platform has already organised a series of capacity-building activities for countries of the region.
The collaboration between Competent Authorities of countries along the whole journey is an essential element to ensure the welfare of animals during long and cross-border transport. The concept of ‘Whole Journey Scenario’ workshops as complementary capacity building was developed with the objective of helping countries improve animal welfare during long distance and cross-border transport in compliance with WOAH standards for the whole journey duration along the specific route. The approach is built on bringing together all the stakeholders involved in transporting live animals from the departure point to the destination to ensure the same level of understanding of WOAH standards on animal welfare. Since
The workshops focus on the responsibilities of the Competent Authorities regarding animal welfare over the entire journey and allow sharing a best practices and strengthening collaboration between Competent Authorities, other authorities (e.g. Customs Services) as well as all relevant stakeholders (e.g. business operators).
The first pilot ‘Whole Journey Scenario’ workshop involving Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan was held on 25-27 April 2018 in Zaborek, Poland (See more details)
As the methodology tested during the pilot workshop proved to be successful, it is being extended and applied to a whole series of Whole Journey Scenario workshops covering regional (Europe, the Middle East) and multi-regional (Europe/Middle East/North Africa) routes.
Whole Journey Scenario workshops:
1st ‘pilot’ Whole Journey Scenario Workshop in Europe -2018, Poland
Whole Journey Scenario workshop on animal welfare during long distance transport in Europe follow-up – 2021, teleconference
Multi-regional Whole Journey Scenario workshop on long-distance transport by land and sea between Europe and the Middle East – 2021, teleconference
Whole Journey Scenario workshop session during 3rd meeting of National Contact Points on long-distance transportation for Europe – 2023, Ireland
