NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCAS: MANDATE AND EXPERIENCE RELATING TO AQUACULTURE

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) was founded over 60 years ago. We prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.

The SPCAs in South Africa are governed by the SPCA Act 169 of 1993 which is administered by the NSPCA, constituting us as a statutory body. Inspectors are authorised in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 with the SPCA movement collectively undertaking over 90% of all animal welfare investigations and prosecutions in South Africa.

The NSPCA operates on a national basis with a team of dedicated Inspectors, who are specialists in their fields. We work tirelessly to protect animals from neglect and abuse and enforce the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 when deliberate cruelty takes place. The lives of tens of thousands of animals are improved because of our passion, our intervention and our commitment to bring about long-term positive change for all animals.

In a country that spans over a million square kilometres, there are areas where there is no SPCA, no animal welfare organisations and no veterinary services. The NSPCA plays a vital role in bringing extraordinary support to these people and their animals.

The NSPCA is in the process of developing welfare standards and codes of practice to reduce stress and pain. Although the same concerns and welfare principles apply as with other food animals, we are faced with an additional challenge, since this is a vast and varied field, covering abalone, shellfish and various freshwater and sea fish species. Currently, as South Africa is signatories for the OIE, we need to comply with their standards or practice even better animal welfare. In this presentation we will elaborate on this and include scenarios that have been experienced by ourselves.