FAWC wrote to Defra in response to their consultation on a proposed science and innovation strategy, 30 April 2003

Defra's Science and Innovation Strategy

Firstly, it is unfortunate that animal welfare gets only a brief mention in the whole of the document. Whilst control of disease has a big welfare component it does not suggest much innovation in the approach to animal welfare. On the other hand, the more detailed Animal Health and Welfare Directorate strategy document seems better focused. With both documents I think there is a useful indication of intent - delivery will be the key.

Onto a few specifics:

Page 9: Under Resources and Waste, if there is to be joined up thinking then this suggests the use of antibiotic digestive enhancers (ADEs) which are proven to make feed use more efficient and reduce effluent output. However, we consider this to be primarily an issue of human welfare rather than animal welfare. Nevertheless, page 21: para (h) notes once again that the reduction/prevention of use of ADEs has a significant effect on productivity, some disease problems and use of therapeutic antibiotics. The reduction in disease problems may, on occasions, lead to animal welfare benefit.

We note that, on Page 21: only paras (i) and (j) mention animal welfare. We are disappointed at this apparent general absence of awareness of animal welfare.

Page 22: para 8. This is an area FAWC has discussed previously in relation to Foot and Mouth Disease, but progress is slow, and needs highlighting as an urgent priority. For instance, the Netherlands has recently lost or destroyed some 15 million birds due to a major outbreak of avian influenza, which is nevertheless spreading with dire consequences. It has also spread to pigs and humans. These events highlight the need for accelerating action in this area to cover diagnosis (probably good experience here), mass slaughter and disposal (poor record and no evidence that we have any practical methods yet) and problems of animal movements (welfare problems will arise).

FAWC Secretariat
April 2003