May 26, 2009

Paris: Representatives from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) attending the 77th General Session of the International Committee being held in Paris from May 24 to 29, 2009 today called on members of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to review the organization’s mandate.

Speaking at the Animal Welfare session this afternoon, WSPA suggests that the OIE be granted the power to act positively in response to incidents of severe cruelty towards animals, such as the recent cull of pigs in Egypt. In the week leading up to this meeting in Paris, Egyptian authorities have come under severe criticism, after news reports showed hundreds of pigs being stabbed, beaten with iron bars, moved with bulldozers, covered with caustic chemicals and buried alive as part of the culling operations.

“The current pig cull in Egypt is completely unnecessary and shows shocking disrespect for the OIE guidelines on animal welfare (transport and slaughter) that Egypt has agreed in 2005. This is particularly shocking considering that Egypt hosted the 2nd OIE Conference on Animal Welfare on the implementation of these very guidelines, in October 2008,” said Dr. David Wilkins, Chief Veterinary Advisor at WSPA, “If Egypt does not put an immediate end to this brutal massacre, it is going to come under increasing national and international condemnation for this cruelty.”

Nearly 13,000 people from over 60 countries have signed an online petition on the WSPA website, calling on the Egyptian Prime Minister to order an immediate end to the cruelty. (Footnote 1)

WSPA has also written directly to the Prime Minister, offering the organization’s assistance for the relocation and humane slaughter of the pigs if this cull were ceased at once. (Footnote 2) The OIE has also offered to provide technical assistance to Egyptian authorities to ensure that the cull, if continued, is carried out humanely, in keeping with the agreed guidelines.

“It is disturbing that Egypt continues this cruel operation despite the offers of assistance that it has received already. WSPA is calling on the OIE and the international community as represented by the Chief Veterinary Officers from member countries present here today, to do everything in their power, including consultations with Egypt’s Chief Veterinary Officer, to apply public and private pressure on Egypt to end this outrage at once,” said  MVDr Rasto Kolesar, Programs Manager for Farm Animal Welfare, WSPA.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals is the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organizations. Through partnership with hundreds of member societies we strive to create a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends. We bring about change at both grassroots and governmental levels, to benefit animals. We support and develop high profile campaigns, scientifically-backed projects and innovative education initiatives. With our member societies, governments and international agencies, we also provide relief to animals in communities affected by disasters.

-Ends-

For interviews and images please contact:
Brigitte Scheffer, International Media Manager
+44 7982736288 (mobile) and +44 207 7587 5014 mediateam@wspa-international.org

Footnote 1: The online petition continues to gather signatures from international supporters at http://www.wspa-international.org/egyptcull

Footnote 2: If you would like to see copies of the WSPA press release dated May 18, 2009 or the two letters sent by the Director General of WSPA to the Egyptian Prime Minister, please contact Brigitte Scheffer as above.