A lot has happened since the last AWSELVA Journal issue. Most notably, we have seen the formation of the European specialisation centre for animal welfare science, ethics and law as part of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. AWSELVA members were central to this success, not least Dr Mullan, Professor Morton and Dr Main, just as AWSELVA was vital in setting up the RCVS Certificate and Diploma. The college provides a Europe-wide focus point for veterinary practitioners engaged in animal welfare science, ethics and law.
Once again the Association hosted a well attended meeting on the effects of the current economic position on animal welfare. This meeting, held at the Wellcome Foundation meeting rooms in London, brought together speakers on a wide range of topics and finished with a workshop session which was actively and thoughtfully presented as a feedback report at the end of the day.
As I look forward to our spring meeting in Bristol and the Peter Singer Lecture to follow, both with their reflective flavour, it is clear to see that animal welfare and associated ethical considerations have advanced almost beyond recognition over the past 50 years or so, yet equally we have not lost sight of former philosophical positions.
With this column coming hot on the heels of our recent meeting in London (of which you can read elsewhere in the edition) it allows some reflection of the importance of the policy debate. This is timely given the recent publication of FAWC’s report 'Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past Present and Future’. Importantly reflecting on the ethical basis for the humane treatment of farm animals, the report also brings together many contemporary issues.
At a recent meeting I was challenged (and not for the first time) to say whether or not a wild mouse experiences less of a welfare insult than its laboratory cousin, when subject to similar injury. This is not a new question but does present an interesting scenario which many of us will have considered, I expect. If the nociceptive event is similar, do possible differences in the perception and processing of pain by the animal matter or is the perception everything?
International animal welfare concerns continue to attract the attention of the public. Usually these are highly charged issues and, as with any polarised “debate” such as the morality of using animals in scientific research, there seem to be few fora in which an objective or even, dare I say, rational debate can be held, and which will engage all the protagonists. In the case of the use of animals in scientific work, the Boyd Group has been a notable success.
The total income of the animal welfare “industry” over the past five years, raised in the United Kingdom, mostly through charitable donation, was in excess of £½ billion Sterling. Add to that sum the public money spent by local authorities, central government and regional institutions and the figure more than doubles. In return for public investment, how much better off are our animal populations? This is a very difficult question to answer.
The Animal Welfare Act and the implications of the duty of care towards animals as set out in the Act have tended to dominate the agendas of animal welfare organisations over the past year. In this Spring quarter I would like to move the focus of AWSELVA’s efforts to the world’s poorer countries and international development. Sustainable development is the holy grail of the development sector and seeks to achieve a balance between the three pillars of economic growth, environmental protection and social justice.
It is with great enthusiasm that I hand over the reins of office to Bill Swann as Chair of AWSELVA. He has a track record in the area of strategic planning that I hope will consolidate the small steps that I have taken during my term. I very much look forward to working with Bill as part of the old and the new team leading the organisation. This is yet another formative period in our history as we grow and develop, this time into post-juvenile stage as we take on a more national profile.
I would like to thank all members of the AWSELVA Committee (only I wasn’t!!) who were involved in the Duty of Care seminar in London in November for what was a very successful meeting. I also include the speakers who so generously gave of their time and effort. Bill Swann particularly deserves thanks for being the brains behind the programme and speakers, ably and enthusiastically supported by Leisha Hewitt and Becky Whay. I gather from some several “other sources” that it gave attendees and speakers plenty to think about.
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