2010

31 March 2010: FAWC today responded to consultations from Defra (PDF) and the Scottish Government (PDF) on beak trimming of laying hens.

FAWC is developing its next Strategic Plan for 2011-2015 - to get involved please read the enclosed letter (PDF).

9 February 2010 - News release: Appointment of new members to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (PDF).

29 January 2010: FAWC has responded to a Scottish Government consultation on a code of practice for the welfare of livestock: meat chicken and breeding chickens (PDF).

8 January 2010: FAWC has responded to a Defra request for views on the European Commission Report on options for animal welfare labelling and a network of reference centres (PDF)

2009

22 December 2009: FAWC has responded to a National Assembly for Wales Rural Development Sub-Committee consultation on animal welfare and meat hygiene controls in abattoirs (PDF).

18 December 2009: The Farm Animal Welfare Council has been reviewed, in accordance with Cabinet Office recommendations. Defra and the devolved administrations will now consider the findings and recommendations. They are grateful to the reviewer, Susan Carter, and to the FAWC Chair and members and all the stakeholders who contributed. A copy of the review (PDF) is available here.

14 December 2009: FAWC has responded to a Defra consultation on a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds reared for sport (PDF).

11 November 2009: FAWC has issued a consultation (PDF) seeking views on contingency planning for farm animal welfare.  The consultation seeks comments on the welfare implications of disasters and emergencies, both natural and resulting from human actions, and of mitigation strategies to protect farm animal welfare.

2 November 2009: FAWC has issued a consultation (PDF) on a major study looking into the impact of diseases on farm animal welfare.  The consultation seeks comments on the major areas of the investigation and on some specific questions to help the Group focus its considerations. 

22 October 2009 - FAWC today publishes its Opinion on the Welfare of the Dairy Cow (PDF 200KB). A news release (PDF 100KB) has also been issued.

12 October 2009 - FAWC today publishes its landmark Report on Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future (PDF 500KB). This review of farm animal welfare policy looks back at developments since the Brambell Report in 1965 and makes recommendations that will improve farm animal welfare into the future. A press release (PDF 20KB) has been issued.

22 September 2009 - Council meeting 19 June summary is available.

8 September 2009 - FAWC has responded to Defra Minister’s request for an update to its advice on beak trimming for laying hens.  A copy of the letter (PDF) is available here.

3 August 2009 - FAWC publishes the minutes of its successful Open Meeting held on 8 July 2009.

15 July 2009 - FAWC has published its Annual Review 2008/2009 (650 KB). Copies of this report can also be obtained from the FAWC Secretariat.

2 July 2009 - FAWC has responded to Defra’s consultation on Responsibility and Cost Sharing (PDF 27 KB)

28 May 2009 - The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) today publishes its Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing – Part Two: White Meat Animals (PDF 250 KB). A news release (PDF 50 KB) has also been issued.

22 May 2009 - A review of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) has been commissioned by Defra.  This will be a ‘light touch’ review, such as the Cabinet Office recommends should be undertaken periodically of all advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs).   A consultation letter (PDF 20 KB) is available here.

15 May 2009 - The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) will hold its annual Open Meeting on Wednesday, 8 July 2009 at the Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RB. For more information please contact the FAWC Secretariat.

20 April 2009

• FAWC responded to the Defra and Scottish Government consultations on implementation of Directive 2007/43/EC on the protection of meat chickens. The letter (PDF KB) is available here.
• FAWC responded to the Defra, Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government consultations on Commission proposals for a regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing. The letter (PDF 46KB) is available here.

27 February 2009 - FAWC has issued a consultation about mutilations and environmental enrichment for growing pigs (PDF 38 KB). If you wish to express views about this subject please send them in writing to the FAWC Secretariat by 30 April 2009.

24 February 2009: News release: Appointment of new members to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC).

2008

12 December 2008: The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) today publishes its Opinion on Policy Instruments for Protecting and Improving Farm Animal Welfare (PDF 100 KB) on its website. A news release (PDF 25 KB) has also been issued.

13 November 2008: The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) today publishes its Opinion on the Welfare of Farmed Gamebirds (PDF 95 KB) on its website. A news release has also been issued.

17 September 2008: Consultation: The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) has set up a Working Group to examine how education and communication can positively affect the welfare of farm animals (PDF 100 KB). Comments to Simon Renn in the FAWC Secretariat (to the address or e-mail in the consultation letter) by 24 October 2008. A news release (PDF 50 KB) has also been issued.

20 August 2008:

• FAWC responded to the Welsh Assembly Government's consultation on a new strategy for farming in Wales, "Farming, Food and Countryside - Building a Secure Future. The letter (PDF 30KB) is available here.
• FAWC responded to Defra's consultation on proposals for a 'Health Check' of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The letter (PDF 50KB) is available here.

10 July 2008 - In response to a request from the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead MSP, FAWC has provided advice on the welfare standards for pigs in Great Britain (PDF 40KB).

1 July 2008 - FAWC has published its Annual Review 2007/2008 (3 MB - Please note this is a large file). Copies of this report can also be obtained from the FAWC Secretariat.

30 June 2008 - FAWC has published its report on the implications of castration and tail docking for the welfare of lambs (PDF 550KB). A news release has also been issued.

5 June 2008 - FAWC Response to the Consultation on Responsibility and Cost Sharing in Wales.

28 May 2008 - The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) will hold its annual Open Meeting on Wednesday, 9 July 2008 at the Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RB. For more information please contact the FAWC Secretariat.

21 February 2008 - Farm Animal Welfare appoints two members. A News Release has been issued.

20 February 2008 - FAWC has moved to a new office. Their new contact details are available here.

2007

15 November 2007 - The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) today publishes two opinions on its website:

• Opinion on Enriched Cages for Laying Hens (229 KB)
• Opinion on Beak Trimming of Laying Hens (69 KB)

A News Release has been issued.

18 October 2007 - FAWC responded to the Consultation on Defra's Response to the Eves Review of the Animal Health and Welfare Delivery Landscape.

27 September 2007 - FAWC responded to the European Group on Ethics in Science and new technologies (EGE) public consultation on the ethical aspects of animal cloning for food supply.

10 September 2007 - FAWC has published a summary of the open meeting held on 14 June.

10 September 2007 - FAWC is seeking to appoint two new members from 1 January 2008 (73 KB). Closing date for applications is Monday, 8 October 2007.

26 July 2007 - FAWC has published summaries of the Council meetings held on 14 February 2007 and 27 June 2007.

19 July 2007 - FAWC has issued a consultation (44 KB) about economics and farm animal welfare in the UK. If you wish to contribute to this consultation please complete the enclosed questionnaire (42 KB) or send your comments to the FAWC Secretariat by 14 September 2007. A news release has also been issued.

28 June 2007 - FAWC has issued a consultation about policy instruments for protection and improvement of farm animal welfare (39 KB). If you wish to express views about this subject please send them in writing to the FAWC Secretariat by 31 August 2007.

20 June 2007 - FAWC has provided Defra with additional comments on the revised Draft Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy.

14 June 2007 - FAWC has published its Annual Review 2006/2007 (787 KB). Copies of this report can also be obtained from FAWC Secretariat.

13 June 2007 - FAWC replied to Defra request for advice on the welfare implications of Blue Tongue becoming established in the UK (32 KB).

8 June 2007 - FAWC has published its report on Stockmanship and Farm Animal Welfare (145 KB). A news release has been issued. Copies of this report can also be obtained from FAWC Secretariat.

10 May 2007 - On 30 April 2007, FAWC has issued a consultation (22 KB) about the welfare of farmed gamebirds in Great Britain. If you wish to express view about this subject please send them in writing to the FAWC Secretariat by 8 June 2007.

28 March 2007 - FAWC responded (22 KB) to the Defra consultation on the Replacement of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000.

12 March 2007 - FAWC responded to Defra/Scottish Executive consultations on Responsibility and Cost Sharing for Animal Health and Welfare: Principles.

7 March 2007 - FAWC reply to the Government response to the FAWC report on the Welfare Implications of Animal Breeding and Breeding Technologies in Commercial Agriculture.

20 February 2007 - On 16 February 2007, FAWC commented on Defra consultation on the draft Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) will hold its annual Open Meeting on Thursday, 14 June 2007 at the Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3RB. For more information please contact the FAWC Secretariat.

1 February 2007 - FAWC has published a summary of the council meeting held on 26 October 2006.

25 January 2007 - FAWC wrote to Defra Ministers on 25 January 2007 (50kb) on the welfare implications of cloning farm animals, following the importation to GB of a calf itself the offspring of a cloned animal.

25 January 2007 - Farm Animal Welfare Council appoints four new members. A News Release has been issued.

12 January 2007 - FAWC responded to Defra, SEERAD and Welsh Assembly Government Environment, Planning and Countryside consultations on the proposed legislation allowing or exempting procedures carried out on animals.

2006

22 November 2006 - Defra has issued a consultation on the Government response to the FAWC report on the welfare implications of animal breeding and breeding technologies in commercial agriculture.

9 November 2006 - FAWC has responded to Defra follow up consultation on amendment to WASK 1995.

27 October 2006 - FAWC has published its Strategic Plan 2006 - 2010 (76 KB). Copies of this publication can also be obtained from FAWC Secretariat.

27 September 2006 - FAWC has issued a consultation on the long term future strategy for farm animal welfare in Great Britain.

27 September 2006 - FAWC has responded to Defra consultation on amending WASK 1995 to permit the use of gas to kill poultry outside of a slaughterhouse. This response has been copied to SEERAD and Welsh Assembly Government.

14 September 2006 - FAWC sent out a letter to GB Ministers with its comments on ventilation shutdown as a killing method for poultry in disease control situation.

11 August 2006 - FAWC responded to SEERAD consultation on the implementation of EU Regulation EC 1/2005. More..

8 August 2006 - FAWC responded to Defra consultation on the implementation of EU Regulation EC 1/2005. More..

11 July 2006 - FAWC has published summaries of the open meeting held on the 14 June and the council meeting held on 1 June.

29 June 2006 - On 28 June 2006 FAWC commented on Defra consultation on the Future Structure of the Organic Conversion Information Service in England.

14 June 2006 - FAWC published its Annual Review Report 2005/2006 (1.86 MB). Copies of this report can also be obtained from FAWC Secretariat.

14 June 2006 - FAWC launched its report on Welfare Labelling (144 KB) at its Annual Open Meeting. A news release has been issued. Copies of this report can also be obtained from FAWC Secretariat.

23 May 2006 - On 22 May FAWC responded to Defra consultation on Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013. More..

4 May 2006 - On 3 May 2006, FAWC commented on the EU Commission Working Document on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006 - 2010.

17 March 2006 - The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) will hold its annual Open Meeting on Wednesday, 14 June 2006 at the Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, Westminster London SW1P 3RB. For more information please contact the FAWC Secretariat.

13 March 2006 - On 15 February 2006, FAWC responded to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission guidelines on slaughter or killing of animals. More..

8 February 2006 - News Release: Farm Animal Welfare Council appoints four new members.

10 January 2006 - FAWC responded to Defra consultation on feral wild boar population management. More..

FAWC advice archive...