Animal Welfare Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key definitions, legal frameworks, and regulatory bodies related to animal welfare in New Zealand as presented in the lecture.

Animal ethics

The branch of ethics that examines human-animal relationships, the moral consideration of animals, and how nonhuman animals ought to be treated.

Animal welfare

How animals experience life and whether this experience is good or not.

Animal rights

The principle that primarily refers to the right of animals not to be used or exploited by humans.

Social licence to operate (SLO)

A non-legal permission to use or farm animals, strongly influenced by what the animal is used for, such as food versus entertainment.

MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries)

The main regulatory body responsible for the development of animal welfare policy in New Zealand.

Sentient

The recognition, added to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 in 2015, that animals are capable of having negative and positive experiences that matter to them.

Physical, health, and behavioural needs

A 5-point requirement in the Animal Welfare Act including: 1) proper food and water, 2) adequate shelter, 3) normal behavior display, 4) appropriate handling, and 5) protection/diagnosis of injury and disease.

Codes of Welfare

Details on minimum standards and best practices for specific species and situations that are not directly enforceable or legally binding.

Regulations

More specific than the Animal Welfare Act and more directly enforceable than Codes of Welfare, carrying low to medium level penalties for offending.

NAWAC

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, which provides advice on animals used in general contexts.

NAEAC

The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, which advises MPI regarding animals used in research, testing, and teaching.

Stockmanship

The quality of care or management of animals as performed by an owner or caretaker.

Animal classification (NZ Act)

Includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, octopi, squid, crab, lobster, crayfish, mammalian fetuses in the last half of gestation, and avian/reptile pre-hatched young in the last half of development.

Commercial slaughter (NZ)

A process where it is compulsory for all animals to be stunned before the procedure.

OIE

The organization that published the first global standards in 2004 and currently has 182 member countries.

Fit for Transport offences

It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to present or load animals that are unfit for the journey, such as those with metabolic disease, cancer eye, or those late in pregnancy.