Experts Discuss Health and Welfare of Farm Animals at Moscow International Veterinary Congress

Participants noted that owners and workers often lack knowledge of proper animal welfare practices and do not keep up to date with current scientific data on animal welfare. This leads to cruelty, poor sanitation and diseases that can pose a threat to both animals and the people who consume MEAT and other animal products.

Elvira Fadeeva, a veterinary consultant, emphasized that improving living conditions can significantly reduce the number of diseases. However, many veterinary specialists cannot offer solutions without the use of antibiotics , which is exacerbated by a shortage of qualified personnel in this field.

Unlike the EU and neighbouring Belarus, RUSSIA has no laws regulating the welfare of farm animals, making veterinary reforms difficult. Ilya Zlobin, an animal welfare specialist, noted the lack of continuity in veterinary regulations, which hinders further improvements.

The roundtable participants proposed to amend the legislation, revise the procedure for discussing veterinary rules, introduce training on animal welfare into educational programs, and create recommendations for ensuring welfare on agricultural enterprises. The idea of ​​creating a Coalition for the Legal Protection of Animals in Agriculture to activate changes in legislation was also presented.