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Africa Animal Welfare Conference – Action 2024
The 8th Africa Animal Welfare Conference took place in person and online from the 30th of September to the 2nd of October, gathering professionals to discuss the role of animals in Africa’s sustainable development, aiming to promote policy development that advances animal welfare alongside broader environmental and economic goals. It was held at United Nations Complex, in Nairobi, Kenya, co-hosted by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), UNEP and AU-IBAR. Key topics included engagement with UNEP and UNEA processes, emphasising the roles of major stakeholders in shaping these discussions. Opening remarks from UNEP, AU-IBAR, WOAH, WHO, and World Animal Protection highlighted animal welfare as essential for transforming agricultural practices linked to environmental sustainability and food security. A significant theme was the connection between animal welfare and controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with Dr. Abdela from WHO noting that better welfare practices can enhance public health outcomes.
8th World One Health Congress
Cape Town, South Africa hosted the 8th World One Health Congress from 20th-23rd of September 2024. Dr Mark Schipp, Chair of the WVA One Health Working Group presented a poster on veterinary medicine and community engagement strategies. More than 1400 participants heard from 350 speakers on topics across the One Health spectrum. This was the first time that the congress had been held on the continent of Africa and the importance of One Health for Africa was emphasised from the opening keynote lecture.
World Rabies Day – Breaking the Boundaries
To mark World Rabies Day on 28 September 2024, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Medical Association (WMA) demand continued efforts to eradicate rabies. Under the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”, the two organisations advocate for a One Health approach, vaccination for high-risk groups, and universal access to rabies treatment.
WVA’s updated Factsheet on Free Roaming Dogs
The abundance of Free-Roaming Dogs is a One Health challenge. There are over 200.000 million free-roaming dogs in the world who transmit illness, contaminate the environment, while exposed to an increased risk of suffering and inhumane culling. WVA calls for community and veterinary professionals engagement to promote educational efforts and direct actions on health and wellbeing of dogs. Use this Factsheet in your local efforts!
Humans, animals and environment
One Planet – One Health
“I want to welcome you to access the World Veterinary Association website. In it, we want to show who we are and what we do to be the voice of the global veterinary medicine. We want to be recognized, respected and trusted to influence worldwide in our task to improve animal health, animal welfare, public health and the environment, in short, for the good of humanity, animals and our planet.
The WVA is a federation of veterinary associations based on the respect for diversity that makes us stronger. Mutual collaboration and solidarity are our signs of authenticity. And science, education and advocacy are the instruments to achieve our goals.
For a global association like ours, communication is essential. But this communication must be bidirectional, so I want to encourage you, dear guest, to send us your ideas through our contact section or any other way.
Thank you for the time you spend visiting our website, now and in the future.”
Dr. Rafael Laguens, WVA President
WVA Position Statements
Animal Welfare
8 Aug 2024
Factsheet on Welfare of Farmed Fish
Aquaculture production as a source of dietary protein is increasing by 6-8% annually to meet the needs of a rapidly growing global human population. Over 214 million tonnes of farmed fish are produced each year around the world for human consumption. Research has demonstrated that fish are sentient, but they are rarely afforded the same level of protection as sentient terrestrial animals. WVA promotes the development and enforcement of appropriate national welfare standards and regulations for aquaculture, training in aquatic veterinary medicine and investment in education and capacity-building to ensure proper care, welfare, and management of aquatic animals.
Animal Welfare
26 Jul 2024
WVA Position Statement on the Role of Veterinarians in Aquatic Animal Health
The WVA and World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) urge their members to engage with authorities and statutory bodies to improve the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine in the field of aquatic animals; restricting such practice to licensed/registered veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of veterinarians.
Animal Welfare
18 Apr 2024
Factsheet on Donkey Skin Trade and Welfare of Donkeys
Demand for ejiao is increasing, leading to global trade and poaching of donkeys. Almost 6 million skins currently being harvested annually to be used to produce collagen for a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), called eijiao. The rampant killing of donkeys for the skin trade leads to the impoverishment of local communities, loss of opportunities for women, and impairs access to education for children, water provision and agricultural sustainability. The global donkey population stands at~53.4million. The donkey population in China alone has decreased from ~11 million in 1992 to just under 2 million in 2020 (FAOSTAT,2021).
Veterinary Profession and Education
5 Apr 2024
WVA Position Statement on Veterinary Para-Professionals
The WVA recognises the critical role played by Veterinary Para-Professionals (VPPs) in supporting the performance of veterinary veterinary services (PVS). Further, VPPs should be regulated by Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) or equivalent Veterinary Professional Authority (VPA) to perform tasks designated by territorial laws and guidelines. WVA also recognises that in some remote and rural areas […]
