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March, 2007

To address public interest and concerns for the economy, public health and the environment
Restore, internationally, the animal health status of Northern Ireland (NI); recently lost due to animal disease outbreaks by developing a comprehensive, strategic approach to animal health and welfare
To provide a clear vision of a sustainable future for animal health and welfare by ensuring that future animal health and welfare policies are consistent with existing NI, All-Island (Ireland), and European Union (EU) policies and strategies and the Great Britain Strategy (2004)
To provide guiding principles for animal ownership, control disease and promote government–stakeholder partnerships
Prevent illegal importing, conduct comprehensive surveillance and improve biosecurity
Introduce standards for the disposal of animal waste/animal by-products due to the potential threat to the environment and human health in order to respond to pressure from consumers for high quality, safe and traceable food

EU food hygiene legislation has changed- primary producers have been identified as critical with respect to food safety and hygiene controls (i.e. EU Animal By-Products Regulation banning the burial/burning on farm of animal carcasses and animal materials)
Animal feed containing infected meat has been implicated in previous outbreaks of animal disease (Classical Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease FMD)
The economic impact of any animal disease outbreak will be greater than for other parts of the United Kingdom because the NI is heavily reliant on international markets for selling their animals and animal products
Animal disease outbreaks seriously affect rural communities, the environment and the competitiveness of the agriculture industry, as well as eroding public confidence and creating financial losses
High animal health and welfare standards benefit the animals, sustainable agriculture, the rural economy and industry profitability overall
Increasing concern and pressure for appropriate animal welfare standards is more than just preventing cruelty and disease with respect to farming, companion, sport/entertainment animals
For aquatic animals:
- farmed fish (salmon and trout) are the 2nd largest livestock sector (poultry is 1st)
- farmed aquatic animals can carry bacteria and biotoxins potentially harmful/ fatal to people and spread disease to, and interfere with the genes of wild populations

This strategy mainly deals with

Farmed livestock: beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry (including egg production), and all other animals reared for food/ breeding/ other animal products, such as fleece/ hides
Wildlife and companion animals where there is a potential impact on human health or the health of farmed livestock
Wildlife are not an emphasis of this strategy, but are implicated when there is a risk of:
- transmission of a zoonotic disease
- livestock populations transmitting, harbouring, or recycling diseases of farmed livestock ( i.e. Bovine Tuberculosis in badgers, Avian Influenza in migratory birds)
- welfare issues arising that involve protection from cruelty or the role of rehabilitation and rescue centers
- disease controls for farmed livestock and other animals affecting wildlife
Animals: dogs, cats, horses, exotic species kept by people as companions or in zoos or working/ recreational contexts
Aquaculture: hatched and raised fish and shellfish, for food or for eventual release into stocked fisheries
Game sector: birds, initially reared in captivity and released for sport, and non-captive birds and animals whose health and welfare may be influenced by land management practices
This strategy will not address:
- biodiversity and conservation
- animals used for research, angling or sport hunting

Objectives of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy include:

The humane treatment of healthy zoo/ food/ farming/ sport/ companionship/ entertainment animals
Continuing to develop APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service–a related policy) in order to facilitate fast and effective responses to diseases emergencies
Producing safe food of a high standard to meet the needs of international and national consumers
Maintaining national and international consumer confidence that food is safe, from traceable and healthy animals
Targeting veterinary surveillance to priority areas
Government interventions that are effective and appropriate to the level of risk, and balanced between the needs of the individual and society
An all-island animal health and welfare policy consistent with EU rules that allows the free movement of animals on the island, and the trade of animals and animal products internationally
Working in partnership with the stakeholders

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

An Implementation plan will be published later in 2007.

Many of the policies for this strategy were developed from the EU minimum standards for the protection of animals during transport, on the farm and at slaughter
A guiding principle is partnership, among stakeholders, government and countries
A precautionary principle: when a risk to health/ environment is uncertain any actions will be to prevent serious/ irreversible potential harm, even in the absence of scientific certainty
Five Key Themes:
- understanding and accepting roles and responsibilities
- working in partnerships
- understanding costs of animal health and welfare
- promote benefits of animal health and welfare–prevention better than cure
- ensure effective delivery and enforcement

A guiding principle of partnership among stakeholders, government and countries
Consistent approach with the rest of Ireland for an All-Island approach, as well as EU policies and standards, in order to facilitate international trade
A precautionary principle: when a risk to health/ environment is uncertain any actions will be to prevent serious/ irreversible potential harm, even in the absence of scientific certainty (similar to the report on Canada’s response to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis)
The basis for this Strategy must be sound veterinary and scientific evidence