In line with global best practices, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has formally inaugurated the National Council on Animal Welfare (NCAW) with a charge to ensure the regulation of animal welfare in the country.
The minister during the inauguration pointed out that it is our duty to ensure that animals are treated humanely, responsibly, devoid of stress, hunger, and pain, describing animal welfare as the quality of life enjoyed by an animal in its lifetime and how healthy it is managed in its environment.
Nigeria Animal Welfare Strategy was developed and approved by the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) in 2016 and in furtherance of the implementation of the policy, the Ministry stepped up efforts toward introducing global best practices in Nigeria’s Animal Welfare Strategy particularly for the Livestock and poultry industry.
Stakeholders Lament Steady Decline of donkeys
Dr Abubakar explained that NCAW would have both steering and technical committees, with members of the steering committees chairing various animal welfare technical working groups under the leadership of the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigeria/Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.
Also present was the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Mamora, who made a case for synergy between the two ministries to attain the set goal of taking care of these animals to avoid diseases being transmitted to humans.
NVMA Renews Drive to Tackle Activities of Quack Veterinary doctors
In her remarks, the Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Dr Maimuna Habib, opined that the inauguration will enable the council to draw its guidelines and principles in its own areas, such as companion animals, livestock and production animals, and aquatic animals, amongst others.
She said the council will work to formulate national standards for the use and care of animals as well as implement policies on matters concerning the general care of animals in research, teaching, and mandatory testing of products in Nigeria.
