1st INTERNATIONAL PAN AFRICAN ANIMAL WELFARE ALLIANCE ...

- from taking care of captive facilities to maintaining animal orphanages“Kenya has many laws, but, there are many cases of conflict ofinterest, that frustrate the work of law keepers andconservationists.”Dr. Patrick Omondi (KWS)The biggest challenge according to KWS is indeed not weak laws – it is enforcement ofthese laws. He observed that while Kenya has many laws, there are many cases of conflictof interest that frustrate the work of law keepers and conservationists.He called on animal welfare actors to appreciate the loss that is facing Africa. DRC andCameroon have both lost their last rhinos!The action is not just needed now, but it must be urgent and collective.Africa UnionThe Africa Union (AU) Deputy Chair Erastus Mwencha agreed with the Kenyangovernment that animals form a substantial part of GDP in Africa. According to the AUAnimals contribute as much as 30 % of the GDP of the continent. And yet very littleattention is paid to animal welfare.“AU will not just sign the MOU with PAAWA; it will also devoteresources and personnel to animal welfare.”Erastus MwenchaHe observed that governments panic when there are disease outbreaks such as avian flu orswine fever or mad cow disease. But he observed that many of these diseases are part ofour effort to make quick and big profits, making us mistreat our animals.He noted that the AU will not just sign the MOU with PAAWA; it will also devote resourcesand personnel to animal welfare. The AU has a focused program on animals that enjoinmember states to devote at least 6% of their GDP to promotion of animal supportactivities. The AU is currently involved in eradication of diseases and pests and anextensive program on livestock medicine. It is important for the AU to promote thestandards that will enable us protect animals.Mr. Mwencha called for the support of PAAWA and its members.But he also noted that beyond this there is an urgent need for regional and internationalcooperation on animal welfare.Noting that the AU has a drive for change and for influencing implementation, Dr.Mwencha pointed out that, the big opportunity is the review of the MDGs; we need to havean animal-welfare angle to it.He further stated that in Africa the AU is an important instrument.Report of The 1 st International Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA) 2013 Page 15