Animal welfare – the key to many opportunities

Animal welfare has recently been implemented for pets

Our country's livestock industry has accomplished remarkable growth, particularly in pig and poultry rearing. During the first half of 2023, total pork production reached approximately 2.3 million tons, a 6.5% increase over the same period in 2022. The production of poultry flesh surpassed 1 million tons, an increase of nearly 5%, and egg production eclipsed 9 billion units, an increase of more than 4%.

As the livestock industry develops, the high livestock density has resulted in an increasingly impoverished living environment for animals, and livestock caretakers appear to have forgotten the animals' inherent instincts.

Animal welfare is defined as treating animals well so that they are in the best physical and mental condition possible, averting unnecessary suffering, regardless of whether the animals are raised for sustenance, as production tools, as pets, or as captive wildlife. Animals can express their fundamental inclinations, such as running, leaping, playing, and displaying their individual emotions, in livestock enclosures.

Dr. Kate Blaszak, an expert from Humane Society International (HSI), believes that in agricultural nations such as Vietnam, animal welfare plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of livestock husbandry and has a positive effect on food security.

Regarding animal welfare, it appears that we have only focused on treating pets and conserving fauna. Dr. Kate Blaszak wishes that farm animals raised for human sustenance, such as poultry, ducks, pigs, goats, livestock, buffalo, and horses, receive more attention.

In numerous nations across the globe, animal welfare laws are codified and strictly enforced. The concept of animal welfare first appeared in the United States in 1976, while China incorporated it into livestock laws in 1998, Europe in 2007, and South Korea in 2014. In Vietnam, animal welfare was incorporated into the Veterinary Law of 2015 and the Livestock Law of 2018.

"Despite explicit regulations in the law, livestock producers in our country continue to disregard animal welfare. Very few livestock facilities currently observe fundamental animal rights, including feeding, lodging, and entertainment, as well as transport to slaughterhouses. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trong, vice chairman of the Association of Farms and Agricultural Businesses in Vietnam, stated that guidance and assistance may be required to help livestock keepers comprehend the benefits of excellent animal treatment prior to this skill becoming more pervasive.

Ms. Tham Thi Hong Phuong, National Director of Humane Society International (HSI) Vietnam, echoed this sentiment, stating that even livestock producers have too much to do to ensure animal welfare. However, when agricultural products face intense competition, animal welfare is viewed as a key to unlocking numerous opportunities.

Changing from origin-based animal products to animal welfare-guaranteed products

Dr. Kate Blaszak, an HSI expert, shares a photograph of a young man scrutinizing information about pork in a supermarket before determining whether to purchase it as evidence for her animal welfare opinion. This image is straightforward, but it will soon become popular among savvy consumers. This practice is already prevalent in Europe.

"At some point, we will no longer have to worry about the origin of livestock and poultry because it will be a mandatory criterion. Dr. Kate Blaszak stated that intelligent consumers will transfer their attention to whether animals are treated properly, transported to humane slaughterhouses, etc.

It must be acknowledged that an increasing number of livestock facilities in Vietnam are investing effectively in animal living conditions. However, a spacious and spotless environment alone is not sufficient; we must provide tools for animals to stimulate natural behaviors such as pigs rooting and poultry pecking.

According to Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh, vice president of the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association, modern animal husbandry is transitioning toward more ethical and civilized practices. In addition to the economic benefits for livestock custodians, consumers' interests, environmental protection, and animal welfare should receive the consideration they merit.

In addition, to specify the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's export strategy for livestock products, it is essential to assure compliance with international biological safety standards, which include animal welfare considerations.

"If the livestock industry wants to further develop and integrate with the world, it is essential to incorporate animal welfare into training and research programs and apply it in practical production and society to enhance the value of livestock products and meet export requirements," Ha Thuy Hanh stated.

Additionally, the Vice President of the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association suggests implementing minimal animal welfare standards for farms and integrating biological safety and animal welfare content into export-oriented livestock farms.

When animal welfare-assured livestock models are implemented, the quality of flesh and eggs will increase, while the excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture will be reduced, resulting in greater economic efficiency. Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh emphasized that assurances of animal welfare are consistent with regional and international development.