Stephen Ukandu, News/Features Editor
The Federal Government, Friday, inaugurated National Council on Animal Welfare, NCAW.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar said the Council was inaugurated to provide clear road-map for successful implementation of animal welfare policies and programmes.
Membership of the Council was drawn from the military, para-military, veterinary Teaching Hospitals, Deans of Faculties of Veterinary Institutes in Nigeria, among others.
The Minister charged members of the Council to ensure regulation of animal welfare in Nigeria in tandem with global best practices.
This is coming less than two months herdsmen allegedly killed a ‘bus conductor’ in Lagos after two of their cows were knocked down by his vehicle.
According to the Minister, the inauguration was timely as “it is a step in the right direction that would chart a new course for the implementation of animal welfare practices in Nigeria.”
According to him: “It is our duty to ensure that animals are treated humanely, responsibly and devoid of stress, hunger, anxiety and pain.
“Animal welfare is the quality of life enjoyed by an animal in its lifetime and the consciousness of how healthy it is managed in its surroundings.
“We shall continue to do our best within the available resources at our disposal as we look forward to support from Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders in this domain to ensure that together we improve animal welfare practice in Nigeria on a sustainable basis.
“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 towards introducing global best practices in Nigeria’s Animal Welfare Strategy particularly for the Livestock and poultry industry.”
Abubarkar said that the Council would have both steering and technical Committees whose members would chair the various animal welfare technical working groups under the leadership of Chief Veterinary Officer Nigeria/Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.
The Minister tasked the Council to provide clear road-map that would ensure a successful implementation of animal welfare policies and programmes for the country.
Speaking earlier, the Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Maimuna Habib, said the inauguration was aimed at formulating national standard for use and care of animals.
According to her, “the inauguration would serve as catalyst for the implementation of policies on matters concerning the general care of animals, in terms of research, teaching and mandatory testing of animal products in the country.”
