The Evolution of International Animal Law: From Wildlife Conservation to Animal Welfare

AuthorSabine Brels
Pages365-383
365
Chapter 15:
The Evolution of
International Animal Law:
From Wildlife Conservation
to Animal Welfare
Sabine Brels
I. Wildlife Conservation: Links and Continuity With Animal Welfare
in International Law ............................................................................366
A. e First References to Animal Protection in International
Wildlife Law ................................................................................367
B. e New References to Animal Welfare in General
International Law ......................................................................... 371
II. Animal Welfare: Towards Global Protection in International Law ....... 376
A. e Legal Foundations to Support Global Protection of
Animal Welfare ............................................................................376
B. From a General Principle to a Framework Convention on
Animal Welfare ............................................................................379
Conclusion ................................................................................................... 382
Like nat ural resources, animals need global protection. At the end of
last century, international agreements were adopted to protect the
environment, which included the conservation of wild animal spe-
cies against extinction.1 At the beginning of this century, animal welfare
emerged as a hot topic on the international scene. is issue is currently
knocking at the United Nations’ (U.N.’s) door. In t he near future, the ris-
ing public consciousness for animal welfare may lead to global protection in
international law.2
1. See generally S L, I W L: A A  I T
C W  C  W (1985).
2. Also called “global law,” which refers to the general international law established by the U.N.
366 What Can Animal Law Learn From Environmental Law?
Protecting animal welfare is indeed a global concern. As such, this objec-
tive needs to be addressed globally in international law. Globally means
“universally” (i.e., by all state-members of the international community)
and “comprehensively” (i.e., by an all-encompassing instrument covering a ll
aspects of animal uses). It is un fortunate that no such global instru ment to
protect animal welfare currently exists,3 which is a well-recognized gap in
international law.4 Indeed, even if international wildli fe instruments aim to
preserve endangered species from extinction, no agreement intends to glob-
ally protect individual a nimals from suering and promote better treatment
for all animals, throughout the world, and with respect to a ll types of animal
(ab)uses. is chapter makes recommendations to ll this gap.
is chapter explores whether the emergence of global animal welfare law
can be traced to, or associated with, the evolution of global environmental
law. It examines the development of international wildlife law and revea ls
the value of animal welfare as a general principle, becoming increasingly
apparent in national laws and supranational instruments. e chapter also
considers sources of support for a global instrument for the protection of
animal welfare in international law that are grounded in existing provisions
of environmental and wildlife law inst ruments.
Part I explores the links and continuity between t he preliminary instru-
ments on wildlife conservation and the rising concern for animal welfare in
international law. Part II addresses the need for a global protection regime
for anima l welfare, and provides arguments on how to build such a regime
under international law.
I. Wildlife Conservation: Links and Continuity With
Animal Welfare in International Law
Last c entur y, the rst references to anima l protection appeared in interna-
tional environmenta l and wildlife law. At t he beginn ing of this century,
new references to a nimal welfare are appeari ng in general internation al
law ins truments.
3. For further discussion of this topic, see generally David S. Favre, Movement Toward an International
Convention for the Protection of Animals, in A W   L, 247-69 (1989); David S.
Favre, An International Treaty for Animal Welfare, 18 A L. 237 (2012).
4. See, e.g., B L D  I A W  W C
1 (Mark Austen & Tamara Richards eds., 2000) (“ere is a distinct absence in international law for
the protection of animals from cruelty and mistreatment.”); L N, T W TO, A
 PPM 325 (2007) (“Animal welfare protection is not laid down in any international agreements.”);
J C, A   L: A S 15 (2001) (“A comprehensive treatise on
global animal law has not yet been written.”).

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT