The annual Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) Discussion Forum will
return to London on 5 June with an exciting new debate format
that will feature expert speakers putting forth opposing
arguments on the welfare of UK’s farmed animals and exotic
species in captivity.
One of the best-loved CPD events of the veterinary calendar, the
Discussion Forum invites experts from around the world to discuss
a range of fascinating sessions designed to address key issues
impacting animal welfare today and to inspire change. This year’s
sessions will feature a formal debate style, with experts
speaking for and against a motion before opening the floor to
questions and views from the audience.
The morning debate session, chaired by RCVS president Amanda
Boag, will pose the question: ‘UK farming: is welfare good
enough?’. The UK’s farm animal welfare standards are considered
among the highest in the world. However, issues such as non-stun
slaughter, the live transport of animals and the changes facing
the agricultural sector in terms of technology, growth and Brexit
challenge this claim. David Main, Professor of Production Animal
Health and Welfare at the Royal Agricultural University, and Jim
Reynolds, Professor of Large Animal Medicine and Welfare at
Western University, California, will take opposing stances on the
issue, drawing on insights from developments in farming practices
in the UK and around the world.
The afternoon debate, chaired by Sky News Sports Editor Nick
Powell, will ask if we can meet the welfare needs of the growing
numbers of non-traditional companion animals and wildlife in
domestic settings or in zoos. Internationally renowned specialist
zoo and wildlife vet Romain Pizzi, exotics vet Tariq Abou-Zahr
and the Born Free Foundation’s Dr Chris Draper and will debate the issue,
looking at the complexity of husbandry requirements of exotic
animals, the suitability of current animal welfare assessment
frameworks, and the ‘greater good’ of conservation and breeding
programmes, among other themes.
Chris Laurence, AWF Chair of Trustees, said:
“This year’s Discussion Forum confronts two very topical and
challenging animal welfare topics for debate and a line-up of
exceptional expert speakers from around the world. I’m
particularly looking forward to the new debate format, which will
give delegates insights on both sides of an issue, while an
audience vote immediately before and after the debate will give
us a handy barometer of delegate opinion.
“Last year’s Big Debate session threw up lots of enthusiastic
discussions on whether insurance compromises an animal’s quality
of life, so this year we will be holding a special session that
will take a cross-sectoral look at over-treatment, euthanasia and
end-of-life care in both the veterinary and human health sectors.
“The forum will be relevant to the whole veterinary practice
team, students and animal welfare professionals, offering
delegates the chance to discuss some of the most important issues
within the veterinary profession today.”
Simon Doherty, President of the British Veterinary
Association and AWF trustee, said:
“The Discussion Forum is an exceptional conference that provides
a wonderful opportunity for informed debate on important animal
welfare issues. It is also a great forum to network with leading
animal welfare researchers from across the UK and further
afield.
“One of the big attractions this year will be the research
session, where the results of AWF’s Delphi study on the top
animal welfare priorities in the UK will be revealed.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to attend, hear
from the experts on these important issues and contribute to the
discussions.”
Professor Cathy Dwyer, Director of the Jeanne Marchig
International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at University
of Edinburgh, will share findings from the AWF-funded Delphi
research project. The discussion on end-of-life care will be
chaired by Chris Laurence, with Dr Polly Taylor, European
Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and Dr Angela
Halley, Consultant in Palliative Medicine at The Royal Marsden
Hospital, sharing perspectives from both the veterinary and human
health sectors.
Veterinary professionals who are unable to attend can join the
conversations by following @AWF_VETS and using the hashtag
#AWFDebate on the day. The sessions will also be available to
watch for free on AWF’s Youtube
channel afterwards.
Following the event, AWF and the British Veterinary Association
(BVA) will jointly host a reception at the House of Commons
offering delegates the opportunity to continue discussing the
day’s issues with parliamentarians and policymakers. The
programme and tickets for the Discussion Forum and House of
Commons reception are available now at: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/education-and-debate/2019-discussion-forum/.
ENDS/
Notes to Editors
- AWF was set up in 1983 by vets with a passion to alleviate
unnecessary pain and suffering in all animals including farm
animals, wild animals and pets. The charity funds research,
supports veterinary education, provides pet care advice and
encourages debate on animal welfare issues. As the British
Veterinary Association’s charity, AWF has a close working
relationship with BVA, which remains one of its key stakeholders
and supporters.
- The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the national
representative body for the veterinary profession in the UK. It
represents the views of over 18,000 members on animal health and
welfare matters, and veterinary policy issues to government,
parliamentarians and key influencers in the UK and EU.
