Download Global Animal Welfare

Global Animal Welfare
Policy Brief
Our Purpose
As an animal health company, we respect animals and are dedicated to
safeguarding good animal welfare around the world. Our commitment to the
lives of food, companion, and research animals is highlighted in the guidelines
of our Global Animal Welfare Policy.
What do we mean by animal welfare?
We support and work within the concept of animal welfare as defined by the
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE):
“Animal welfare is defined as how an animal is coping with the conditions in
which it lives. An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific
evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well-nourished, safe, able to express innate
behavior and not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear and
distress. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and appropriate
veterinary treatment, shelter, management and nutrition, humane handling
and humane slaughter.”1
At Elanco, we believe that animal welfare is integral to the sustainability of our
global communities, which is why our Global Animal Welfare Policy encompasses
the whole picture of animal care, not just the role that our products play.
Our Animal Welfare Principles
• Our position is based on respect for animals
• Respect for animals will be achieved through the principles of having access
to good housing, feeding, health, and expression of appropriate behaviors
• Our policy, positions, and business practices are based on sound science with
a focus on continuous improvement
• In our efforts to support the welfare of animals that enrich our lives, we will
work with all stakeholders, including veterinarians, producers, academics,
governments, NGOs, contract research organizations, and the public, to
share knowledge and sustain or improve good animal care
• We support a sustainable approach to animal welfare that accommodates
efficient food production and companionship to enrich the lives of a
growing population
• We support responsible use of our products as a component of
comprehensive animal care by empowering stakeholders, as well as
enabling the responsible use of our products, services, and training to
either increase or sustain good animal welfare
Our Role
Engage. We are:
• Empowering stakeholders worldwide with a science-based approach to understanding and practicing
good animal care
• Addressing questions about animal welfare, including the responsible use of animal health products and
services
• Participating in activities related to animal welfare through listening, learning, and sharing our
knowledge, to enhance respect of animal welfare and the critical relationship to sustainability
Collaborate. We are:
• Fostering a respectful dialogue among diverse stakeholders to put the focus where it belongs — on the
animal
• Evaluating animal welfare using sound scientific assessments where:
– Diverse elements are considered together
– The OIE recommendations on animal welfare are the guiding standards, with a focus on
outcome-based criteria
– Value-based assumptions for selecting and weighing criteria are explicit1
• Actively collaborating to:
– Collect necessary data to monitor progress
– Develop policies and improve practices that lead to good animal welfare
– Share information with stakeholders around the world to facilitate continuous improvement in
good animal welfare and sustainable practices
Lead. We are:
• A part of the solution to empower ourselves and others to act for animals
• Driving innovative solutions — based on sound science — in order to sustain and improve good
animal welfare
• Setting the stage for future generations to share knowledge, embrace, and practice good animal care
Our Business
Elanco acts with responsibility globally in our actions as a company, our commitment to our customers, and
our active participation in global initiatives.
Elanco applies the principles of good animal welfare — from product development through support for the
responsible use of animal health products and services — for all animals.
Elanco empowers our customers to support the principles of good welfare for all animals through our
innovative solutions, knowledge sharing, and facilitating freedom to operate responsibly.
Elanco recognizes the role we play in the sustainability of our global community. We are committed to
collaborating towards continuous improvement in environmental, social, and economic sustainability of
human-animal interactions.
1
OIE, 2015. http://www.oie.int/index.php?id=169&L=0&htmfile=chapitre_aw_introduction.htm
© 2016 Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
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