Global Animal Law GAL Association

Please support Global Animal Law Association (GAL) (www.globalanimallaw.org) to have the United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection (UNCAHP) (www.uncahp.org) adopted by the UN General Assembly: https://lnkd.in/dnrrmsAk. #AnimalLaw #AnimalProtection #AnimalWelfare #AnimalRights #AnimalHealth #HumanHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #OneHealth

Stronger Enforcement for Animal Welfare in the UK! The UK is stepping up for animals with new penalty notices aimed at improving enforcement of welfare laws. These changes mean faster action against offenders and better protection for animals. But how will they work in practice? Find out more in our latest blog post! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dVDkSY7E

Dog population management requires science-based, humane approaches that align with international animal welfare standards. Chapter 7.7 of the World Organistion for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Code outlines essential guidelines, including vaccination, dog identification, and responsible ownership. Effective programs require collaboration and long-term evaluation to ensure lasting benefits for both animals and communities. #WHOAseries #GAL #GlobalAnimalLaw #GALseries #AnimalWelfare #DogPopulationManagement #WOAH #ResponsibleOwnership #AnimalProtection

Dog population management requires science-based, humane approaches that align with international animal welfare standards. Chapter 7.7 of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Code outlines essential guidelines, including vaccination, dog identification, and responsible ownership. Effective programs require collaboration and long-term evaluation to ensure lasting benefits for both animals and communities. #WHOAseries #GAL #GlobalAnimalLaw #GALseries #AnimalWelfare #DogPopulationManagement #WOAH #ResponsibleOwnership #AnimalProtection

Norway's Environment Minister, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, has dismissed calls for a ban on open-net salmon farming, despite the ongoing decline in wild salmon populations (a drop of 50% since the 1980s). While acknowledging the decline as "an existential threat" and the impact of the pollution created by the industry, Eriksen emphasized the need for sustainable food production and stricter regulations rather than a complete ban. He believes that with proper regulation, salmon farming can coexist with healthy wild salmon stocks, balancing industry growth and environmental protection. This stance contrasts with recent bans in regions like British Columbia and Washington State, where similar concerns led to a halt in open-net farming. #GAL #GlobalAnimalLaw #GALnews #SalmonFarming #Norway #WildSalmon #EnvironmentalProtection #Sustainability #Aquaculture

Portugal’s parliament has approved a moratorium on deep-sea mining in its territorial waters until 2050, citing concerns over potential harm to seabed ecosystems and insufficient understanding of environmental impacts. The decision follows Portugal’s 2023 vote against deep-sea mining as a member of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Deep-sea mining threatens marine biodiversity by destroying habitats, disrupting ecosystems, and harming fisheries. The extraction would affect marine life, create sediment plumes that smother species, and generate industrial noise that disturbs ocean wildlife. Given these irreversible consequences, environmental and political leaders have emphasized the importance of preserving Europe’s most biodiverse waters. The bill, proposed by the People-Animals-Nature (PAN) parliamentary group, reinforces Portugal’s commitment to marine conservation. PAN’s president, Inês de Sousa Real, emphasized this in 2023, stating: “The future of humanity goes hand in hand with the future of the oceans. We are the country with the greatest marine biodiversity in Europe, and that is why we must be able to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.” Portugal’s moratorium is a major victory for marine life, reinforcing global calls for a cautious approach to ocean resource exploitation. #GlobalAnimalLaw #GAL #GALnews #MarineConservation #BiodiversityProtection #DeepSeaMining #Portugal #OceanProtection

Humane killing during disease outbreaks is vital to protect both animal welfare and public health. Chapter 7.6 of the WOAH Terrestrial Code outlines guidelines for effective and ethical disease control efforts, emphasizing planning, proper techniques, and worker safety. Addressing these challenges is key to maintaining humane and efficient practices. #WHOA #WHOAseries #TerrestrialAnimalHealthCode #DiseaseControl #InternationalStandards #AnimalWelfare #HumaneKilling #AnimalLaw #HumaneHandling #AnimalProtection #GlobalStandards #GAL 

Plans to build Europe's largest salmon farm in Ostend have been permanently cancelled following a decisive ruling by the Council for Permit Disputes. The Norwegian company Columbi Salmon had intended to produce approximately 2.9 million salmon annually in a facility spanning 13.5 hectares. In response, animal welfare organizations, including GAIA, raised significant concerns about the proposed intensive farming conditions. The planned facility would have confined salmon to tanks with densities of up to 36 fish per cubic meter, depriving them of natural behaviours and leading to stress, disease, and high mortality rates. Beyond animal welfare issues, environmental groups highlighted potential ecological risks. Intensive fish farming can contribute to water pollution, disrupt local biodiversity, and increase the risk of environmental degradation. The Council for Permit Disputes overturned the environmental permit that had been granted earlier, pointing to issues with land-use zoning and declaring the project legally unviable at the proposed site. #GlobalAnimalLaw #GALnews #AnimalWelfare #EnvironmentalSustainability #Aquaculture #Belgium #Ostend

Animal welfare extends beyond farm practices to include humane slaughter. The WOAH Terrestrial Code offers essential guidelines for ethical slaughter, emphasizing humane handling, stunning, and processing methods. However, challenges such as poor enforcement and lack of infrastructure persist. The UNCAHP is key in advocating for the global adoption of these humane standards, pushing for meaningful progress worldwide. #WHOA #WHOAseries #GAL #AnimalWelfare #TerrestrialAnimalHealthCode #InternationalStandards #AnimalWelfareDuringSlaughter #AnimalHealth #WOAH #HumaneHandling #GlobalStandards #AnimalCare #AnimalProtection

As of November 25, 2024, Scotland has officially implemented a ban on the use of snare traps! This pioneering legislation, passed as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act in early 2024 makes Scotland the first nation in the UK to prohibit these cruel and outdated devices. Snares are notorious for their indiscriminate nature, often injuring or killing not just target animals but also protected wildlife, pets, and livestock. The passing of this legislation represents a significant step towards ending unnecessary animal suffering and improving coexistence between humans and nature. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any snares they encounter to Police Scotland or the Scottish SPCA. The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act introduces progressive reforms aimed at reducing wildlife persecution and protecting Scotland's rich biodiversity. By banning snares, the law not only addresses cruelty but also sets an example for other countries to follow in modernizing their wildlife management practices. We applaud Scotland’s leadership and urge governments worldwide to adopt similar measures. Legal change is one of the most powerful tools for creating a future where all animals are protected. Let’s continue to advocate for compassionate and forward-thinking legislation across the globe! #GlobalAnimalLaw #GALnews #AnimalWelfare #WildlifeProtection #Scotland #AnimalLaw