New Coordination Group for Animal Welfare in the Americas

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) announced the launch of the Coordination Group for Animal Welfare in the Americas, a new regional mechanism designed to support the identification of needs, prioritization, and implementation of animal welfare activities in the region.

This launch represents a milestone for the region, which since 2012 has had a strategy approved by its members, but whose implementation has faced challenges. The new group responds directly to these needs and establishes a clear path for moving forward with countries toward a region where animal welfare is respected and promoted.

Moving toward effective regional coordination

Animal welfare is an issue with scientific, ethical, economic, cultural, and social dimensions. In the Americas, the diversity of production systems—from family farming to intensive models—and the economic importance of the sector make it essential to have mechanisms in place to facilitate cooperation, harmonize practices, and support Veterinary Services in the implementation of WOAH international standards.

The Coordination Group will enable:

• Identification of emerging needs and priorities, in accordance with the regional context.
• Update and strengthen the regional approach, in line with the Global Animal Welfare Strategy.
• Develop a regional action plan with goals, timelines, indicators, and activities.
• Promote a collaborative network between the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and financial partners.
• Support the identification of resources and funding opportunities to ensure the sustainability of the work.

This approach seeks to ensure the inclusive participation of key actors and promote a bottom-up process, avoiding bias and ensuring regional representativeness.

A new stage for WOAH’s work on animal welfare in the Americas

The launch of this Coordination Group will strengthen regional governance of the organization’s work on animal welfare, promote more harmonized practices, and ensure that policies respond to the real needs of member countries.

With a clear roadmap, a multisectoral approach, and a stable coordination structure, the WOAH Regional Representation for the Americas is taking a firm step toward building a new regional approach to animal welfare based on evidence, participation, and international cooperation.

A group with a multisectoral approach

The composition of the group seeks geographical and sectoral balance, while also prioritizing gender balance among its members.

The coordination group is composed of the following professionals:

Public sector:

• Dr Catalina Medrano, Focal Point for Animal Welfare for Colombia
• Dr Cheryl Van Ommen, Delegate for Curaçao
• Dr Sarah Johannson, Focal Point for Animal Welfare for Canada
• Dr Valéria Stacchini Ferreira Homem, Focal Point for Animal Welfare for Brazil

Private sector:

• Dr David Kelton, International Dairy Federation
• Dr Keith Belk, International Meat Secretariat
• Dr Joy Mench, World Egg Organisation

Academia/Research:

• Dr Francisco Aurelio Galindo Maldonado, Collaborating Center for Animal Welfare and Livestock Production Systems
• Dr. Susana Rodriguez, Collaborating Center for the Laboratory Animal Welfare and Science

Civil society:

• Dr Eduardo Santurtun, International Coalition for Animal Welfare

More information:

• Animal welfare web portal
• Multiregional seminar in Colombia to improve animal welfare during transport