The resolution “urges all nations to negotiate an international convention for the protection of animals that establishes standards for the proper care and treatment of all animals to protect public health, the environment, and animal wellbeing.” The focus of the CAP is on global animal well-being, public health and the environment as an effective tool to mitigate the risk of future pandemics.
Our team has received many comments on our first draft from members of government, civil society, and international organizations. We are in the process of redrafting the Convention on Animal Protection, and look forward to sharing our second draft soon.
In particular, the CAP provides regulations on human interactions with animals in several broad categories:
all animals (Article 1);
animals deemed to have a high risk of hosting viruses or other pathogens that pose a serious risk to public or animal health (Article 4);
companion animals (Article 10);
commercial animals (Article 11);
animals used in scientific research and testing (Article 12); and
animals used in entertainment (Article 13).
The CAP provides general fundamental principles in accordance with the One Health approach, which recognizes the inherent interconnectedness of animal well-being, public health, and the environment. These principles provide that humans have an obligation to act responsibly toward animals and their habitats, among other sentiments (Article 1).
Regulations aimed to prevent future pandemics include systems of identifying high-risk animals and prohibiting and restricting certain human interactions with these animals, including the capture, consumption, sale, and trade of these animals (Article 4).
The CAP also contemplates the adoption of the first sets of international minimal standards of care for animals, including obligations to provide animals suitable and sufficient food and water, adequate shelter from adverse environmental conditions, and adequate opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation (Articles 10, 11, 12, and 13). The draft treaty also contains more specific standards for animal transportation (Article 9), animals used in scientific research and testing (Article 12), and companion animals (Article 10).
The CAP seeks to regulate human interaction with wildlife, the transportation of animals, and human treatment of companion animals, commercial animals, and animals used in research and entertainment. The CAP also contemplates the negotiation of subsequent protocols on specific areas of animal protection at a greater level of detail than the general principles set out in the treaty itself.