MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE ROGER CLARKE, 

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES 

ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION  OF 

WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2014, SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014

This year marks the 14th occasion that World Veterinary Day is being celebrated. This year’s   focus will be on the theme ‘Animal Welfare’. I would like to recognize the  hard work of the members of the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA), the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and all our veterinarians, as they continue to play a lead role in the safeguarding of human and animal health. 

Throughout the world, veterinarians play a vital role in ensuring animal health and welfare, food safety, food security, safe world trade in animals and animal products as well as protecting public health. In the new paradigm, One Health, One Medicine, emphasis has shifted from the traditional role of animal health care, to issues relating to combating trans-boundary animal diseases, food safety, animal welfare, , bio-security, the protection of bio-diversity and the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources. 

      As Minister, I am  pleased to note that World Veterinary Day 2014  highlights issues relating to animal welfare. We  fully endorse the internationally recognized ‘five freedoms’ (freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour) which provide valuable guidance in animal welfare.  

      I commend the work of our veterinary professionals, working in collaboration with their local and international partners and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in addressing the issue of stray dogs and cats in Jamaica. This effort I am sure will assist in fostering “responsible pet ownership” among all Jamaicans. 

      The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries joins with the local veterinary fraternity in the celebration of World Veterinary Day 2014 commits to offering technical and legislative support towards the enhancement of animal welfare practices in Jamaica. and in keeping with this year’s theme,  I  take this opportunity to wish  our veterinarians great success as they continue to keep Jamaica healthy and free from trans-boundary animal diseases and  safeguard the welfare of our animals.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER

 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES 

ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION  OF 

WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2014, SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014

The theme of World Veterinary Day 2014 is ‘Animal Welfare’. Veterinarians here in Jamaica and across the globe will celebrate  on Saturday, April 26, 2014, with a focus on animal welfare and the contribution of the veterinary profession to animals and the society. Veterinarians are inspired by their strong commitment to animal welfare and to the alleviation of the suffering of animals. 

The use of animals in agriculture, education and research and for companionship, recreation and entertainment, makes a major contribution to the well-being of humans. An animal is said to be in a good state of welfare if it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express natural behaviour, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress.

 Animal welfare refers to the state of an animal. The treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and appropriate veterinary treatment, shelter, management and nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter. 

Sound animal welfare practices require that owners and keepers are responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. These basic needs include:

-          a suitable environment and housing;

-          an adequate supply of food and water;

-          the ability to exhibit normal behavioural patterns;

-          protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease. 

Some of the areas requiring intervention in terms of animal welfare include rearing, transportation, slaughter of animals and the control of stray dogs and other animal species. The promotion of responsible dog ownership can significantly reduce the numbers of stray dogs and the incidence of zoonotic diseases. The Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is expected to play a lead role in preventing zoonotic diseases and ensuring animal welfare and to be involved in dog population control in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. 

Jamaica was represented at the 2nd Global Conference on Animal Welfare held in Cairo, Egypt in 2008 and has, since that Workshop, established a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) National Animal Welfare Focal Point in accordance with OIE guidelines. With the continued collaboration of the veterinary fraternity with both local and overseas counterparts, Jamaica will make great strides in the area of animal welfare.

Dr. Osbil O. Watson

Director of Veterinary Services