Improving animal welfare: a practical approach

The European Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate General, together with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe is pleased to invite you to the Second regional workshop on animal welfare tailor made for veterinary practitioners.

This workshop aims to provide veterinarians a deeper understanding of animal welfare, will focus per species on the animal welfare legislation applicable, the critical welfare issues and species-specific welfare assessment schemes. The workshop will be true to the slogan “prevention is better than cure”.

The health of animals is as important as their well-being. Health and welfare cannot be seen as separate issues. A weakened health status will affect the animals' welfare and when welfare is compromised, the animals will be more susceptible to infections and disease.

The veterinary profession – as knowledgeable and accountable professionals - has an important responsibility in promoting and assuring the health and welfare of animals. This will not only benefit the animals concerned but also to their owners as happy healthy animals are profitable animals.

In addition, veterinary surgeons have an important role in providing expertise and knowledge to the general public and animal keepers as well as to policy makers.

The workshop will consist of both a theoretical as a practical on-farm session, where participants can bring their theoretical knowledge in practice.

The workshop is mainly targeted at veterinary farm animal practitioners mostly from Spain but also from Italy, Portugal, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Switzerland and Turkey. Some places will also be reserved for veterinary or animal health related students and producers.

A specific working group will be formed for veterinarians involved with wild animals in captivity.