Animal Health & Welfare Strategy's five themes
Below are the five themes of the Strategy. These are important ways of working that everybody working with animals needs to make sure that the Strategy’s vision is achieved.
1. Working in partnership
This is a Strategy for everyone involved in animal health and welfare. While Government has a distinct role to play, it can only be successful if we all work together. Information on Working with the consumer is available.
2. Understanding and accepting roles and responsibilities
All those with an interest in animal health and welfare must have a good understanding of their responsibilities. Ultimately it is up to animal owners to make a real difference to the health and welfare of their animals.
3. ‘Prevention is better than cure’
Animals that are cared for appropriately and in accordance with existing welfare standards are more likely to be healthy, and less likely to contract or spread disease. It is essential for all animal owners to have the necessary skills to care for their animals, exercising good practice and using veterinary services and medicines appropriately.
4. Understanding the costs and benefits
Preventing animal diseases has obvious benefits as well as being cost effective. All animal owners must play their part in preventing disease but to make sure this happens the costs and benefits involved need to be clearly understood.
5. Delivering and enforcing standards
Government has a role in providing leadership and helping to facilitate the raising of animal health and welfare standards. It must also ensure that that whatever interventions it makes are consistently and effectively delivered and enforced.
Page last modified:
May 23, 2008