I was informed that, for that purpose, the OIE has prepared a questionnaire via which all OIE members should express their opinion on the matter. In relation to this consultation we are writing to express our strong support for private standards on animal welfare.

Over the years, private standards have proved to be a fundamental tool to improve the welfare of animals in both developing and developed countries.
There are significant differences between the issues raised by private standards on animal health and private standards on animal welfare. We agree that on animal health issues, where there are clear mandated disease guidelines set by the OIE and clear implications of avoiding such standards, private standards should abide by the OIE’s animal health standards.

Private assurance schemes on animal welfare have been in existence for over 50 years, since organic standards were first developed in the UK. The number of schemes has grown exponentially, especially in the past decade, as demand for products produced to higher welfare standards has steadily grown. Today the trade in products coming from farms with higher animal welfare standards is worth tens of billions of US dollars. In promoting traditional forms of farming, private standards can bring market opportunities for developing countries, at the same time preserving the livelihood of rural communities by avoiding the loss of jobs which results from intensification.

Private standards for animal welfare should not be restricted by the OIE. Indeed, the OIE standards on farm animal welfare could be instrumental in improving the baseline standards of existing private standard schemes.

I hope that in your response to the OIE Secretariat you will support the idea of coexistence between private standards on animal welfare and OIE guidelines on animal welfare.

Yours sincerely

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