Draft Chapter 7.X WELFARE OF WORKING EQUIDS Article 7.X.1. Preamble In many countries, working equids, used for transport and traction, contribute directly and indirectly to households’ livelihoods and benefit communities as a whole. More specifically, they contribute to agricultural production and food security by transporting, for instance, and fodder for other livestock, firewood and other daily needs to the homestead, agricultural products to the market; they provide draught power for agricultural work such as ploughing, harrowing and seeding, weeding and transport; they supply manure and, in some cases, milk, meat and hides for household use or income (FAO, 2014). Working equids may be of direct or indirect use in commercial activities such as taxi services, construction, tourism and transporting goods. They can also be rented out and provide an income for the equid’s owner and a small business opportunity for the hirer (FAO, 2014). In the case of the latter there can potentially be an increased animal welfare risk. Finally, working equids relieve the physical burden of women and children and less able people in transport of domestic needs; they may strengthen social relationships within extended families and communities through sharing working animals at times of need, for example during ploughing and harvesting seasons. They transport people to health centres and medical supplies to remote areas and may also form an important part of weddings or ceremonial occasions (FAO, 2014) (The Brooke 2014). The welfare of these working equids is often poor and this may be as a result of their ownership by poor and marginalised communities who are unable to sufficiently resource their needs. Certain working contexts may present a particular risk to welfare such as working within construction industries (e.g. brick kilns). Article 7.X.2. Scope and definition This chapter applies to the following working animals: horses, mules and donkeys which are used for traction and transport, for income generation as well as domestic use (non-commercial work). Equids used in sports or competitions, leisure riding or research are excluded. Article 7.X.3. Responsibilities and competencies 1. Veterinary Authority The is the responsible for implementation of animal health and welfare. In the Veterinary Authority case of working equids, responsibility may be shared with other government agencies and institutions as listed below and including but is not limited to those responsible for agriculture and transport. 2. Other government agencies
Draft Chapter 7.X WELFARE OF WORKING EQUIDS Article 7.X.1. Preamble In many countries, working equids, used for transport and traction, contribute directly and indirectly to households’ livelihoods and benefit communities as a whole. More specifically, they contribute to agricultural production and food security by transporting, for instance, and fodder for other livestock, firewood and other daily needs to the homestead, agricultural products to the market; they provide draught power for agricultural work such as ploughing, harrowing and seeding, weeding and transport; they supply manure and, in some cases, milk, meat and hides for household use or income (FAO, 2014). Working equids may be of direct or indirect use in commercial activities such as taxi services, construction, tourism and transporting goods. They can also be rented out and provide an income for the equid’s owner and a small business opportunity for the hirer (FAO, 2014). In the case of the latter there can potentially be an increased animal welfare risk. Finally, working equids relieve the physical burden of women and children and less able people in transport of domestic needs; they may strengthen social relationships within extended families and communities through sharing working animals at times of need, for example during ploughing and harvesting seasons. They transport people to health centres and medical supplies to remote areas and may also form an important part of weddings or ceremonial occasions (FAO, 2014) (The Brooke 2014). The welfare of these working equids is often poor and this may be as a result of their ownership by poor and marginalised communities who are unable to sufficiently resource their needs. Certain working contexts may present a particular risk to welfare such as working within construction industries (e.g. brick kilns). Article 7.X.2. Scope and definition This chapter applies to the following working animals: horses, mules and donkeys which are used for traction and transport, for income generation as well as domestic use (non-commercial work). Equids used in sports or competitions, leisure riding or research are excluded. Article 7.X.3. Responsibilities and competencies 1. Veterinary Authority The Veterinary Authority is the responsible for implementation of animal health and welfare. In the case of working equids, responsibility may be shared with other government agencies and institutions as listed below and including but is not limited to those responsible for agriculture and transport. 2. Other government agencies
Draft%20OIE%20Working%20Equids%20Fall%202014.docx