Working Group 3.2

Animal Policy and Law

Convenors:
Outi Ratamäki, University of Joensuu, outi.ratamaki@joensuu.fi
Birgitta Wahlberg, Åbo Akademi University, birgitta.wahlberg@abo.fi

Rural areas are arenas for human-animal encounters in many different ways. Farm animals, pets and wildlife offer diverse perspectives on human-nature relations. On the other hand, animals are so close to us that we often tend to see them as part of society and culture rather than nature. Recently these human-animal relations have become more challenged, by, for example, changes in the practical circumstances in which humans and animals interact; impacts of internationalizing policies; demands of efficiency in the animal industry; increasing number of animals; changing cultural images; critical ethical considerations; and legislative requirements for animal welfare and protection. While changing human-animal relations have thus become matters of political contention and sources of demands for legislative change, they also must be negotiated in concrete animal related work and other activities. Interesting research questions arise when these cultural and political challenges and the legal system’s relation to the society are examined. Is there a new policy area being born, called animal policy? What are its implications? To what extent is it reflected in the changing legal status of animals? Does the legislation on the protection of animals and the authorities’ actions meet the expectations of the consumers/citizens? What can animal welfare actually mean in legislation, and how should it be formulated to give the best protection for the animals? We invite research papers and analytical papers on the field of animal policy and law. Papers dealing with farm animals as well as pets and wildlife are welcome.