Current Activities

It is not possible for the whole Council to undertake detailed studies of the issues being investigated. Most of the Council’s work is delegated to three Standing Committees and a number of Working Groups, comprising a cross-section of members. There is a heavy responsibility on these members to provide thoroughly researched and carefully considered advice for discussion and endorsement at Council. Discussions within the Working Groups generally remain confidential until proposals have been considered and endorsed by the full Council.

Standing Committees

• Ethics, Economics, Education and Regulation Standing Committee
• Pigs, Poultry and Fish
• Ruminants

Working Groups

• Farm Animal Welfare Strategy
• Research and Development
• Slaughter
• Welfare Economics

Standing Committees

FAWC has established these Committees, which will keep a watching brief on welfare issues within these broad subjects bands:

• Ethics, Economics, Education and Regulation Standing Committee;
• Pigs, Poultry and Fish; and
• Ruminants.

These Committees will horizon scan for new welfare issues, keep under review and press for action on existing welfare issues and may carry out small scale studies leading to short reports. Membership of these Committees is aimed at making the best use of FAWC members’ specialist knowledge and experience.

Working Groups will continue to take on major studies into specific welfare issues or target species and produce reports for Council to endorse and publish.

Working Groups

Farm Animal Welfare Strategy

This Group is taking a wide ranging and far sighted view of farm animal welfare in the UK and beyond; where standards are now and where they might me in the future. The Group has recently consulted stakeholders in writing.

Research and Development

The Group is preparing a report on castration and tail docking in lambs. This follows up recommendations in our 1994 report on the Welfare of Sheep and takes into account the body of scientific evidence achieved since then. A short report is expected in autumn / winter 2007.

Slaughter

The Group is considering the welfare of white meat species (poultry, game birds and rabbits) at slaughter or killing. A consultation has brought further evidence from a wide range of interested parties. The Group will concentrate on the welfare issues associated with slaughter or killing at the abattoir, and on culling on-farm. The Group is visiting a range of premises slaughtering white meat species by various methods to increase its knowledge. It has also met with stakeholders to discuss welfare issues.

Welfare Economics

The aim of the Group is to analyse the interactions between the economics of livestock production and animal welfare in the UK. The Group will be undertaking a public consultation in September 2007. A report is expected in 2010.

Contact address

If you want more details, including copies of reports, then please contact us at the following address:

FAWC Secretariat
7th Floor
1A Page Street
London
SW1P 4PQ
Tel. 020 7904 6534