Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2017 | Page 267

In short, the concept of Animal Welfare is posed
in relation to human activity and its interaction
with animals. In no way does it strive to achieve a
higher standard than what is natural, but it makes
people responsible for the better care of animals
within a framework of scientific knowledge; ethic
fundamentals; laws and regulations. Stress exists
in the life of all living beings; it is physiological,
and a healthy individual returns to its original state
with no sequels. What is inadmissible is distress
or chronic stress. In this case, the individual finds
itself subjected to a system that it cannot overcome
or adapt to; it is pathological and causes physical
and psychological injuries. Animal Welfare aims at
diminishing stress related to human activity and
avoid distress by every possible means.
Note: We find ourselves at a point in which the
emergence of abolitionist animal movements have
lead us to an ethical discussion where the best
answer is to be found, without doubt, in Animal
Welfare.
The “Animal Welfare and Protection Protocol”,
introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999,
acknowledges animals as “sensitive beings”, and
demands that European Institutions and Member
States take fully into account the demands
regarding animal welfare when applying community
policies in agriculture; transport; internal market and
investigation. Likewise, commitment with AW has
been reinforced in the 2004 Constitution.
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