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Ukraine
News Archive: Autumn 2002
Alternatives Library
SPA-SOS has set up a library of information on alternative testing methods at it central office and written to 63 institutes of higher education that use animals to promote this initiative. As mentioned in the March edition of Naturewatch News, with the help of Professors, the Society has been working hard to encourage the introduction of alternative teaching methods by convincing lecturers, who were sceptical, that it is possible to reach the necessary standard of education without the use of animals.
The first two visitors were professors from Kyiv's Military Medical Academy. They spent a lot of time looking at the material available and viewing some of the videos. They took two videos with them to present at a special workshop being held for lecturers. A week later they returned the videos to the library saying they were very encouraged by the interest shown in the alternative teaching methods demonstrated on the video and would like to work with SPA-SOS to develop this further. This is great news, especially for the animals!
Shevchenko University Vivarium
You may remember that the Biology Department of this University was the first to introduce alternative teaching methods which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in its use of animals. Now, with the continued support of Professor Makarchuk, the Society has convinced the Dean of the Biology Department that it is necessary to employ a vet to care for the animals in the vivarium. The vivarium workers have been desensitised to such a degree that they do not see the animals as sentient beings merely a scientific resource. SPA-SOS has concluded that the workers have absolutely no idea about international standards of keeping animals in vivariums and, in order to try and address this, an expert will be invited to make a presentation about these standards and explain what conditions must be created for animals used in experiments at the planned international seminar to be held in Ukraine later this year. In the meantime, the Society is busy translating into Ukrainian booklets on the keeping of animals in vivaria.
A vet, recommended by SPA-SOS, has now been appointed to oversee the day to day care of the animals and his salary is met by the Institute. Not ideal we know but for the time being some animals will continue to be used and if this is the case then we have a duty to ensure their welfare is improved. Having a vet in place at least guarantees that the animals are fed properly, have water available at all times and the dogs are able to enjoy time outdoors each day in the large enclosures provided by the Society where they can run and socialise. This is a vast improvement on what the animals have been used to.
The Society has already spent about two thousand US dollars (£1,380 approx.) from its budget, which it is looking to replace, and is actively seeking a further sum of five to six thousand US dollars (£3,450 - £4,140 approx.) to improve the living conditions for the animals within the premises. Once completed, the Society will promote it as a good example by inviting other institutes in Kyiv to view the improvements.
Animal Protection Bill
SPA-SOS continues to promote the importance of introducing animal protection legislation. Working closely with legal specialists, interested Ministry of Justice officials and medical/veterinary experts, the Society prepared a Draft Bill which includes vivisection issues.
Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, it appears that only a small part of the Bill prepared by the Society has been incorporated into the Draft Bill recently prepared by the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament). The Draft does not cover all animal welfare issues and has many shortcomings. The Society feels it is out of touch with the real situation surrounding animals in Ukraine. For example, the people of Ukraine are unable to purchase a life insurance policy or medical insurance, while the Draft Bill demands the compulsory insurance of animals thus giving newly-formed insurance companies an opportunity to make money (and for city official to get a kickback!); it confers wide powers on the city-funded stray dog catching service (that continues to use barbaric killing methods) and limits the activities of public organisations, etc.
Without doubt concessions will have to be made but we have agreed that it's better to have some form of animal protection legislation in place rather than nothing at all and then SPA-SOS can start work on introducing amendments to strengthen the Bill.
Of course, ideally, we would like the Bill prepared by SPA-SOS to be passed in its entirety but in reality in today's situation in Ukraine this simply is not going to happen. However, the Bill, when signed by the President, will become the first legislative act in the sphere of animal protection in Ukraine. An historical achievement.
