Aust Vet J Vol 78, No 8, August 2000 517

News

AT the Perth Conference Plenarysession our very own Hugh Wirthhanded us a challenge. He

rightfully pointed out that we have missedthe boat in taking a leading position onanimal welfare issues. Once again, Hugh ischallenging us to do better. There is nodoubt that veterinarians are the best-equipped and most committed professionto lead the community in animal welfaredebate. The basis of our training asveterinarians is welfare – both for theindividual animal and for herds and mobs.Changes in the modern courses at ourveterinary schools are giving animal welfarean even higher priority. The animalhusbandry we all learned in our early yearsof study set a solid foundation for this.Physiology, clinical medicine,anaesthesiology, surgery, nutrition andprofessional ethical studies all add to theearly foundation.The Association’s recent survey todetermine the value of pro bono workperformed by our practitioners revealedthat in the order of $34m is contributed byour members annually to the welfare ofstray and native animals. This undoubtedlyunder-represents the total contribution theprofession makes to animal welfare.Despite this government and mediaoverlook the profession when seekingopinions on or input to animal welfarepolicy and issues. What should we bedoing about this situation? HughWirth pointed out that, despitethe huge value of our animalwelfare contribution and ourunderstanding of the welfare ofanimals, we are obviously notseen as having strong views onthe issues, which do constantlyarise. Should we develop strong points ofview even at the risk of offending somesegments of our client base? There is alwaysa risk to having a strong point of view.However, if that point of view isobjectively based then it is worthpromoting strongly. I believe our role

should be to lead the community views onanimal welfare rather than just acceptingthe status quo. We are uniquely placed toobjectively assess extreme communityviews and to publicly state views of ourown. We are one of the most respectedprofessions in the community. Our viewsare therefore likely to be accepted. We oweit to our community to ensure that ourviews are heard and that animal welfaredebate is based on fact rather than fantasy.There are a number of ways by which wecan contribute to improved animal welfare.

The conventional way is to react to issuesby projecting our views via media releases.If our view is sufficiently strong orcontroversial then the media will run withthe story. The difficulty we have as anassociation is reaching consensus. With ourdiverse membership we are bound on

occasions to have differing views often dueto our relationships with industry andother client groups. However with ourwide range of Special Interest Groups,Advisory Committees and Policy Councilwe have excellent mechanisms to developand present soundly based opinions.Unfortunately, this consultative processcan be cumbersome but this should notstop us having strong, thoroughlydeveloped views on most animal welfareissues.Another way we can effect improvedanimal welfare is to lend our commitmentand expertise to established animal welfareorganisations, government policyconsultative committees, local governmentor education of the community throughschools, TAFE colleges, service clubs andour own Special Interest Groups. I wasfortunate to represent the AVA at therecent New Zealand Veterinary AssociationAnnual Conference. I couldn’t help but beenvious of the NZVA’s close relationshipwith the NZ government – particularlywith respect to animal welfare policy. Theirnewly enacted Animal Welfare Act wasdeveloped in close consultation with theveterinary profession. As well asrecognising the skills and commitment ofveterinarians to the welfare of animals theNZ Act also places responsibilities onveterinarians to relieve distress in animals –even if this is contrary to an owner’s wish.Another interesting approach the NZVA

has taken is the implementationof a memorandum of under-standing with the NZSPCA.There is a well-worn adage, whichexhorts us to attempt to bringabout change by becominginvolved rather than criticisingfrom the outside. In the case of

animal welfare we have a great opportunityto bring about this change by becominginvolved at whatever level ourindividual skills make ussuitable. Let’s not wait forothers to create and controlthe animal welfare agenda.

AVA President Dr Ian Denney

v i e w p o i n t

Those of you who were able to attend the Perth Conference wouldhave to agree it was one of our best. There was a great spirit ofcamaraderie, an excellent range of scientific sessions, well attendedplenaries and even the AGM attracted a sizeable crowd. We had avery successful trade display and a full range of enjoyable socialoccasions. Congratulations to the WA Division’s organising groupof Mike Lumsden, Helen Fairnie and Peter Punch for putting in

months of work and worry to ensure the local arrangements

exceeded our expectations. Thanks also to Doreen Culliver, her

AVACOS staff and to Kevin Doyle for their excellent coordination

of all the administrative and management challenges of

conducting the Conference. What a target Victoria has been set for

next May!

Perth sets tough standard for Melbourne 2001

We should lead animal welfare

❛I believe our role should be to lead thecommunity views on animal welfare rather

than just accepting the status quo❜