Animal Welfare and transport: "power of the past, strength for the future"

From the 4th to the 7th of May 2014, the 40th conference organized by the Animal Transportation Association (ATA) "Power of the past, strength for the future" was held at the congress centre of the Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague. ATA's members comprise the entire spectrum of those concerned with the transportation of animals: Airlines, Truckers and Shipping Firms; Government Agencies throughout the world; Universities and Research Organizations; Breeders; Importers/Exporters and Veterinarians.

Within the framework of the working programme, which involved experts on crucial aspect of the sector from the United States of America, Canada and Europe, particular attention was paid to the issues concerning animal welfare: in this context, the IZSAM made the greatest contribution with its four presentations.

During the second day of the congress, Doctor Stefano Messori presented a new scientific and practical protocol, which has been developed by experts of the IZSAM in cooperation with several international partners, for assessing horse welfare after commercial transport over long journeys lasting more than 8 hours.

During the third day, Doctor Silvia D’Albenzio presented an innovative approach in knowledge building through the use of web-based resources, in particular the use of professional social networks. This resulted from pilot project that, based on the principles of connectivism, focused on animal welfare during transport.

The last day session was dedicated to the presentation of the results of the project “Development of an EU wide animal transport certification system and renovation of control posts in the European Union”, co-financed by the DG SANCO of the European Commission, of which the IZSAM is a partner. Doctor Messori submitted an overview of the legislation in force in the different continents concerning animal welfare during transport, with particular concern to long journeys. Doctor D’Albenzio illustrated the content and format of two divulgation tools created for the operators of the sector. The above-mentioned results and products will be progressively published on the website www.contropost.eu, created and managed by the IZSAM within the information and dissemination strategy for which it is responsible.