China to use European animal welfare standards

The British animal welfare standards will also serve as a guideline for Chinese procedures in China. This is made possible by a subsidy from the RSPCA.

The British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is funding the Open Philantrophy Project. This American foundation is committed to helping to promote animal welfare towards farm animals in China in the longer term. 

Period of 2 years
The foundation will receive $2 from the RSPCA over a two-year period. That money is used to improve animal welfare in China, but also to improve food labelling. 

The fact that there are relatively many pigs and a lot of poultry in China ensures that the measures will have a major effect throughout the country. 

In addition, the subsidy gives the RSPCA the opportunity to work closely with the Animal Welfare Committee. This organization is important for bringing together Chinese stakeholders, the agricultural sector and the food-retail industry. 

A big step forward
"This grant is a very important step forward in our efforts to improve animal welfare in China," said Paul Littlefair, head of the RSPCA. “Government authorities and the Chinese people are committed to ethically produced food and reliable food labelling. In addition, the extent of agriculture in China means that there is a chance that we can exert a major and lasting influence on animal welfare.'

Conferences
China hosted the first conference on the welfare of farm animals in 2015. This conference was organized in collaboration with the RSPCA. The aim was to address food safety concerns.

During that conference, extra attention was paid to the bad treatment of farm animals during transport to slaughterhouses, during the slaughter of the animals and the influence this has on the meat. Following the conference, a number of scientists traveled to Beijing to share their experiences and findings with the Chinese government authorities.

There is already a bit more attention
Since the start of these conferences, more attention has been paid to the importance of animal welfare among Chinese scientists and the Chinese food industry. Every year, in March, 3000 delegates attend the National People's Congress in Beijing. There the major problems within Chinese society and the economy are discussed. 

Scientist Zhao Wanping has been called on this year to draft stronger and higher measures for farm animals for China to improve animal welfare. 'The process should gradually show improvements. That attitude is complemented by the increased awareness of animal welfare and the demand for safer, greener and healthier food.'

Reduction of meat consumption
Chinese governments issued guidelines in May 2016 to encourage the public to consume less meat. Its aim is to improve public health. 

“It seems that China is moving towards European standards. They focus on reducing meat consumption and choosing meat carefully. In this way, the public must take into account the effects of meat consumption on the environment and animal welfare. The increased prosperity in particular means that the Chinese are thinking consciously about animal welfare for the first time," said Littelfair.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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