FAWC News Release 1/05

Professor Christopher Wathes has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) in succession to Dr Judy MacArthur Clark.

Four new members have also been appointed to the Council. The new members are Robin Anderson, Dr Richard Bennett, George Hogarth and Andrew Nicholson.

FAWC members James Hook, Gareth Lloyd and Professor John McInerney stepped down from Council on 31 December 2004.

Biographical Notes

Professor Christopher Wathes, BSc, PhD, is currently the Director of Science at Silsoe Research Institute. He will be shortly transferring to the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, to establish an Animal Welfare Group. He is a Special Professor in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Nottingham and an elected Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers.

Robin Anderson is Managing Director of a livestock auctioneering company in South West Scotland. He is currently the President of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers for Scotland; an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies and a member of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association.

Dr Richard Bennett is an agricultural economist in the Department of Agricultural and Food Economics at the University of Reading. He is currently a Member of Council of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and a Trustee of the Humane Slaughter Association.

George Hogarth is Production Director of an international chicken breeding company based in Scotland.

Andrew Nicholson is Quality Assurance Manager and animal welfare specialist for the Co-Operative Group (CWS) ltd. He is a member of the technical advisory committee for Assured British Pigs and the Marine Stewardship Council’s European Commercial Group.

Notes for Editors

1. The Farm Animal Welfare Council was established by Government in 1979 to keep under review the welfare of farmed animals on agricultural land, at market, in transit and at the place of slaughter; and to advise the Government of any legislative or other changes it considers necessary. Its remit was subsequently extended to include European developments.

2. Appointments to the Council are normally made for a three – year period which may be renewed. All members serve in a personal capacity and do not represent any organisations with which they may be associated.