Veterinarians slam Uruguay's animal welfare system as 'not working'

Veterinarians in Uruguay have voiced strong criticism of the National Animal Welfare Institute (INBA) and the government's public policy on animal welfare. The Society of Veterinary Medicine declared that the current system "does not work" and that they have faced challenges obtaining budgetary information, suspecting "attempts to shirk responsibilities."

During a session at the Chamber of Representatives, Daniel Gilardoni, president of the Society, expressed that while they are uncertain about proposed changes to the INBA's governance, progress since 2009 has been minimal. He conveyed a sense that current management within animal welfare institutions fails to grasp their importance, leading to a deflection of duties.

The INBA's structure has shifted, previously under the Ministry of Education and Culture and later the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries. A proposal to transform INBA into a public, non-state legal entity was separated from the latest budget for further review.

Gilardoni emphasized that the system's dysfunction is clear, with the public holding INBA's honorary board members accountable for issues beyond their defined control, as legislation falls to Parliament and policy implementation to the Executive Branch. "Today at INBA, management is truly difficult because we do not have the tools to be part of the decisions," he stated.

Sebastián Fernández, an INBA representative, questioned whether proposed institutional changes would truly benefit public policy. He argued that responsible ownership and animal welfare are fundamentally cultural issues requiring a social perspective, contrasting this with the institute's focus on investment, which he likened to trying to change the temperature of the Río de la Plata by pouring a thermos of water into it.

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