Animal welfare is an important criterion for Vietnamese livestock

Time to change

At the Workshop "Animal welfare trends, opportunities and solutions for the livestock industry in Vietnam" taking place on August 4, Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh, Deputy Director of the National Center for Agricultural Extension (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development). ) said that in recent years, animal welfare has been mentioned more, especially in trade agreements that Vietnam has signed with Europe or other countries.

Recently, because of the concern of customers, the law, the sustainable development policy of the food industry, the animal welfare policy is considered an important part of the sustainable development of every business. , at the same time, breeders have also started to pioneer this trend.

“As the advisory body of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on capacity building in the livestock sector, the National Center for Agricultural Extension has identified animal welfare as one of the key programs in recent years and in the future. next time. This is the trend of the future, as one of the countries with a developed livestock industry, agencies and agencies always consider catching the trend,” said Ms. Hanh.

According to Dr. Caroline Maciel, Senior Policy Advisor for International Trade Law at the World Federation for Animals, the world community has gradually legalized the recognition of animals as sentient species and is concerned with their emotions.

For example, the European Union countries also recognize animals as sentient species that feel joy, anxiety, pain... Similarly, the UK also recognizes perception in animals, not only vertebrates but also invertebrates such as octopuses, lobsters, and crabs. Even New Zealand and Australia have amended the law to recognize animals as sentient beings. Chile is also amending its constitution and has some provisions relating to animals.

“The feed nutrition of chicken eggs, pork produced from the animal welfare model does not have much nutritional difference in the feed product compared to the captive model, but it depends on whether we What to feed pigs and chickens. For example, including grazing, or cage-free farming that feeds on natural foods such as earthworms, which are naturally dug up, the quality of eggs and meat is better,” said Dr. Sara Shields.

Dr. Caroline Maciel added that in 2021 the European Union has made a decision to move towards a more sustainable food supply system and will not accept caged farming.

“The year is 2022, the time when Vietnam must take action before the legal proposals put forward by the European Union come into force in 2023. If Vietnam wants to export its animal products and get benefits from free trade agreements, now is the time to act and improve,” said Dr. Caroline Maciel.

According to Ms. Ha Thuy Hanh, in Vietnam, animal welfare is still a completely new concept and not everyone understands it. Animal welfare is an extremely important factor to develop a sustainable livestock industry.

Along with the development of the livestock and poultry industry in Vietnam, the number of industrial chickens that lay eggs and sows raised in laying hens and sows is increasing.
According to the General Statistics Office, in 2020, Vietnam has about 81 million egg-laying chickens and the most common cages are usually about 5-10 chickens with the chicken's operating space only from 432 - 555cm2. As for pigs, about 2.4 million sows are used to provide breeding stock for Vietnam's pork industry in 2020. In industrial production pregnant and lactating sows are raised in cages (sow pens) of metal.

Ms. Hanh said that the animal welfare activities in Vietnam are carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with many activities of domestic and international animal rescue associations and groups, in addition to organizing education and training. created about animal protection. In addition, the Law on Animal Husbandry and the Law on Veterinary Medicine in Vietnam also regulates the treatment of animals in Articles 21, 69, 70, 71, 72.

An important factor in the development of a sustainable livestock industry

To achieve animal welfare certifications, Dr. Sara Shields, Scientific Director, Farm Animal Welfare at Humane Society International (HSI), said that farmers and businesses need to convert to a farm animal welfare model. cage-free, kennel-free, non-crowded, cage-free farming, so that chickens/pigs can show their natural behaviors (scraping, rubbing, digging, finding nests, bathing in dust, perching on branches) ).

Thus, pigs/chickens have more time to exercise, better musculoskeletal tendons, and more comfortable lying positions to keep the body warm. At the same time, taking advantage of the ever-expanding market, actively working with retailers that are in demand for higher welfare and possibly certified animal products.

Dr. Sara Shields added that switching to an animal welfare model would also add costs. However, HSI will be the liaison, helping buyers understand why they pay more for animal welfare products and why producers have an additional benefit from producing under the dynamic welfare model. object.

Deputy Director of the National Center for Agricultural Extension Ha Thuy Hanh said that animal welfare has great significance not only for animals but also for people, society and the environment. "Modern" industrial husbandry is being shifted to civilized livestock, in which, in addition to the economic benefits of the breeder, it also emphasizes the interests of consumers, environmental protection, and animal welfare.

“The livestock industry wants to develop further and integrate with the world, it is necessary to include animal welfare in training programs, research as well as apply it in production and social practice, improve the value of animals. livestock products and meet export requirements,” said Ms. Hanh.

Animal welfare is simply understood as treating animals well so that they are in the best physical and mental state, avoiding unnecessary pain. Whether it's a pet for food, a tool for production, a pet, or a captive wild animal.

5 criteria to ensure animal welfare: No hunger, no thirst; Free from physical and mental discomfort; Free from pain, injury and disease; Free from fear and anxiety; Freedom to express instinctive behaviors.