To begin with, Kuwait imports nearly 1 million live animals per year.  The process of transporting these live sheep and cattle from ports in Australia to Kuwait causes great suffering and death.  Animals which are not imported live are raised either in factory conditions or in desert herds with little access to food, water, or proper veterinary care.

As an Islamic nation, Kuwait is obliged to adhere to Halal standards for the rearing and slaughter of food animals.  Many aspects of food animal production and slaughter in Kuwait violate these standards.  Additionally, Kuwait is a signatory of the OIE guidelines, which dictate standards for the transport, handling, and slaughter of food animals on the basis of human health and safety, as well as humane reasons.  Despite Kuwait’s agreement, animals are routinely handled in ways which violate guidelines.

K’S PATH’s believes that proper implementation of Halal rearing and slaughter requirements and of the OIE guidelines will significantly improve welfare for farm animals.  K’S PATH believes the most effective means of improving the lives of farm animals in Kuwait is to educate the population about where their food comes from and their ability to make responsible food choices, such as fresh or frozen meat from OIE abiding nations.  Finally, providing education to animal owners and vet care to their animals will decrease what is now high mortality in Kuwaiti herds and can therefore reduce the need to import animals from other countries.