Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th March 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Members appointed to new Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
The new advisory body will provide ethical and scientific advice to the Scottish government.

New body to protect wild and companion animals

The Scottish government has announced that members have now been appointed to the country’s first independent Animal Welfare Commission.

The 12 members have been selected for their knowledge and expertise regarding animal welfare, and will contribute to the commission’s aim of protecting wild and companion animals by providing ethical and scientific advice to the Scottish government.

According to a statement, the group will consider:

  • how devolved policies are helping to meet the welfare needs of sentient animals
  • possible legislative and non-legislative routes to further protect animal welfare
  • the research required for an evidence base for future policy development.

Professor Cathy Dwyer, of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Edinburgh, was appointed chair in 2019. Commenting on the newly formed commission, she said: “We have been able to appoint a really strong Commission covering a range of different disciplines and areas of expertise. I am looking forward to working closely with these experts to be able to make a real difference to the welfare of animals in Scotland.”

Rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted to appoint these experts to work with Professor Dwyer and I very much look forward to working closely with them. Each member of the Animal Welfare Commission shares a passion for animal welfare and brings invaluable key skills and knowledge.

“Scotland has high standards when it comes to animal welfare and this Commission will play an important role in strengthening and improving the protection we offer to animals.

“The Commission will specifically consider how our current policies take account of animal sentience, the wider welfare needs of animals and what improvements could be made.”

The Animal Welfare Commission members are:

  • Professor Cathy Dwyer of SRUC and the University of Edinburgh (chair)
  • Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust
  • Professor Marie Haskell, professor in Animal Welfare Science at SRUC
  • Dr Harvey Carruthers, veterinary surgeon
  • Mike Radford, lawyer specialising in Animal Welfare
  • Dr James Yeates, CEO of Cats Protection
  • Libby Anderson, policy advisor to OneKind
  • Dr Simon Girling, head of veterinary services, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
  • Mike Flynn, chief superintendent at the Scottish SPCA
  • Dr Pete Goddard, veterinary surgeon
  • Professor Tim Parkin, professor of Veterinary Epidemiology, University of Glasgow
  • Dr Andrew Kitchener, principal curator of vertebrates at the National Museum of Scotland.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.