The Global Coalition on Animal Welfare has become a signatory to the Beijing Consensus on Farm Animal Welfare, an initiative which seeks to strengthen international cooperation and exchanges, and build a sustainable, responsible and efficient future for the livestock industry.
Dr Nathan Rhys Williams signed the declaration on behalf of GCAW at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations during the World Farm Animal Welfare Beijing Consensus Conference.
He commented, “Signing the Beijing Consensus reflects GCAW members’ ambitions to raise welfare standards globally and sends a clear signal of this Coalition’s commitment to help drive improvement in regions where progress remains slow.
Research conducted recently by GCAW with regard to the welfare of laying hens identified significant regional variation in the availability of cage-free egg supplies around the world. Based on the research findings, the members are particularly keen to engage with key stakeholders in regions such as Asia, South America and the Middle East. GCAW believes that only by working together can barriers to improving standards be identified and addressed at scale and for the long term. We are grateful to the UN FAO and the International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW) for providing this opportunity to join the Beijing Consensus.”
