"Farm Animal Welfare"Lecture

"Farm Animal Welfare"Lecture

Time: January 17, 2022 (Monday) 14:00 - 15:45

Purpose of the lecture: To disseminate and promote knowledge related to farm animal welfare in Japan.

Venue: Online

Lecture content: An introduction to the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals was given. The process and history of the establishment of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals was explained. The content and meaning of farm animal welfare was introduced, and the current situation of farm animals in Japan and the various problems that arise were described. A Q&A session was held at the end to exchange ideas with the participants.

Lecturer: Tetsuya Seo (Associate Professor, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine)

Number of participants: 40 people.

Summary: In view of the increasingly cruel situation of farm animals and the lack of awareness of farm animal welfare, we held an online seminar on farm animal welfare on 17 January 2022, inviting Tetsuya Seo, associate professor of Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, to give a talk on farm animal welfare. We invited Tetsuya Seto, to give a detailed presentation on farm animal welfare and to discuss with the participants in a Q&A session at the end.

The plight of farm animals

Industrial animal husbandry is a method of raising animals that aims to efficiently produce homogeneous products to meet consumer demand on a large scale by raising large numbers of animals in an artificially controlled environment with limited access.

Farm animals such as cattle, pigs and chickens suffer greatly in this type of rearing environment. During rearing, animals are forced into small spaces and suffer the psychological stress associated with physical movement restrictions that limit freedom of movement, as well as various physical illnesses and painful injuries caused by rapid weight gain. They also suffer pain and suffering during transport to the slaughterhouse, where the fear and pain associated with the killing process is also unimaginable.

What is the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals?

(Purpose)

Article 1The purpose of this Act is to engender a spirit for animal welfare among citizens and contribute to the development of a respect for life and sentiments of amity and peace by providing for the prevention of cruelty to animals, the proper handling of animals and other matters concerning animal welfare, as well as to prevent animals from causing an infringement on the life, body or property of humans by providing for matters concerning the management of animals.

(Fundamental Principle)

Article 2In light of the fact that animals are living beings, no person must kill, injure, or inflict cruelty on animals without due cause, and every person must treat animals properly by taking into account their natural habits and giving consideration to the symbiosis between humans and animals.

The law was introduced in Japan in 1908 to prevent cruelty to cattle and horses in public. The Act on Welfare and Management of Animals was established in 1973, drawing on the Washington Treaty, and has been revised and improved since then. In Japan, the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals sets out the requirements and penalties for farm animal farming. We are truly aware of the fact that animals are life and are moving towards a society where people and animals co-exist, and where farming and management are properly and appropriately based on an understanding of animal habits.

Why do we promote farm animal welfare?

After social research, we found that many people do not know about farm animal welfare, but people are very receptive and willing to learn about it. During our seminars with professors and researchers in the field of farm animal welfare, we learnt that the development of farm animal welfare in Japan is still in its early stages and that there are many obstacles and problems that need to be solved. The cooperation of farmers and the understanding of the general public are also very much needed. However, in a subsequent survey, it was found that the majority of the Japanese public and students in general believe that farm animal welfare in Japan is at an intermediate stage of development and that there are many laws etc. to protect farm animal welfare. This is very different from what we know about the current situation of farm animal welfare.

There is very little publicity related to farm animal welfare in Japan and many people are not concerned about farm animals and do not have knowledge about farm animal welfare. We believe that if there was a better understanding of farm animal welfare, many people would become involved in conservation efforts, but at present many people may not know anything about farm animal welfare, including the relevant laws, the current status of farm breeding and issues, etc. Japan needs more voices to spread the word about farm animal welfare so that more people are aware of farm animals. Only when more and more people are aware, concerned and responsive will the situation slowly change. The event not only promoted farm animal welfare to the general public, but also provided a bridge between farm animal welfare researchers and the general public and students, allowing for more effective communication between the two sides to promote farm animal welfare in general.

By spreading the word about farm animal welfare, more people will be able to understand farm animals and take action against those who harm them. Japan needs more voices in farm animal welfare communication to make more people aware of farm animals. Only if more and more people understand and work for it will farm animal welfare be promoted.