Workshop considers pain relief for production animals

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) recently hosted a workshop for stakeholders to discuss options for the relief of painful conditions in production animals.

Industry representatives interested in pain relief for production animals met to identify areas of research and development that would lead to cost-effective pain relief procedures being applied to painful conditions of production animals. These included the painful husbandry procedures covered by the Animal Welfare (Painful Husbandry Procedures) Code of Welfare 2005.

In opening the workshop, the Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, emphasised the influence of urban consumer preferences. "We must appreciate the role that public opinion plays in shaping animal welfare without losing touch with the reality of agricultural practices. Animal welfare measures must, however, be demonstrably practical and effective for New Zealand farmers in New Zealand conditions," he said.

After hearing a series of presentations on the current state of play in pain relief technologies for animals and humans, stakeholders discussed prepared questions related to farming practicalities, professional, ethical and regulatory matters, current and future technologies, and market benefits and risks of adoption of these technologies. Discussion topics included:

  • what criteria pain relief technologies would have to meet, in order for widespread adoption by farmers
  • what type of regulatory environment would be needed to facilitate the adoption of pain relief measures, while retaining a sufficient level of control over the use of drugs and administration technologies
  • whether any current pain relief technologies could have a wider application if regulatory issues could be resolved or treatment costs reduced, and areas for development
  • possible benefits and risks of more widespread use of pain relief.

NAWAC was pleased by participants' willingness to take a lateral view of the issues and avoid being locked into conventional views and attitudes. Chairman, Peter O'Hara, described the workshop as the first step in a journey towards the development of a roadmap for work in this area.

"Our objectives were to review the use of pain relief procedures in production animals and identify opportunities to enhance their use. We would like to see the progressive introduction of the use of pain relief when painful husbandry procedures are carried out," he said.

"The workshop was an opportunity for industry representatives to have their say, share ideas and assist with strategy development. NAWAC's role was to inform and encourage discussion on a range of topics."

Proceedings of the workshop, including the outcome of discussions on the prepared questions, are being compiled for distribution in the near future to attendees and others with an interest in this area.

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Page last updated: 30 April 2008