The Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare

Abstract

Animal law is gaining momentum in Australia and internationally. Initiatives such as the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) attempt to secure international legal recognition for the principles of animal welfare. The extent to which they do so, however, is a matter of debate, and the subject of this article. Part II of this article outlines the development of the UDAW and current support for it. Part III compares the UDAW to other animal rights/welfare declarations. Part IV describes the animal welfare legislative and policy framework in Australia, and critically examines the impact that the UDAW would have in Australia.