1st Asian Symposium on Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law

Last week saw another leap forward in our relationships with our Asian partners as, in conjunction with the Hong Kong SPCA, and with the support of the University of Hong Kong, the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education co-hosted the 1st Asian Symposium on Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. With a focus on exchanging ideas and developing collaborative partnerships between animal welfare scientists, lawyers and ethicists from China, Hong Kong and the UK, the symposium was also attended by delegates from as far afield as the Phillippines and Macau.

The inaugural symposium united over 50 veterinarians, academics and policy makers from across Asia with their counterparts from the UK and facilitated academic debate and relationship-building as well as providing a forum for developing collaborative educational and research partnerships. Highlighting the similarities and differences between Asian and UK policy development, education and ethical approaches, the symposium allowed us to discuss constructive and collaborative solutions to animal welfare issues across the region.

http://www.spca.org.hk/welfare/pdfs/Working%20Towards%20Better%20Animal%20Welfare.pdf

http://www0.hku.hk/law/Asian%20Symposium%20on%20Animal%20Welfare,%20Ethics%20and%20Law%20%20-%20Programme%20%20&%20Venue.pdf

CABI - R(D)SVS workshop in India

JMICAWE and R(D)SVS staff are delighted to be speaking at the CABI workshop, being held in New Delhi on Friday 25 November and Saturday 26 November.
The workshop will be the first step to developing proposals to strengthen the veterinary profession in India by improving information support for practicing veterinarians. It is hoped that CPD can be provided through on-line methods as well as face to face courses, to enable vets to base their practice on the best available evidence. Professor Neil Sargison will be giving a short presentation on 'developing the curriculum to meet future needs'.
Professor Natalie Waran from JMICAWE, is working with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) along with the Government (I.V.C) and Universities in India to help develop the curriculum in veterinary schools to become not only more focused on problem solving but also to be very much aware of the benefits of encouraging good animal welfare practice. Professor Waran will be presenting tomorrow on 'Animal welfare in education and practice'.
Further information can be sourced via www.cabi.org

CCTV in slaughterhouses?

Ministers are considering making CCTV compulsory in slaughterhouses in England, Scotland and Wales to help enforce laws against animal cruelty.

Improving animal welfare: a practical approach

The European Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate General, together with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe is pleased to be hosting a variety of workshops throughout Europe based on animal welfare tailor-made for veterinary practitioners

Heather Bacon, from the JMICAWE gave a presentation on the 'assessment of welfare of wild animals in captivity' as part of the Animal Welfare Workshops, Budapest Veterinary School, 26-27 September 2011. Her presentation is attached - http://www.onetec.be/animalwelfare/presentations//Wild%20animals/Heather%20BACON%20-%20Assessment%20of%20welfare%20of%20wild%20animals%20in%20captivity.pdf

Please note that the next workshop will be held at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 1-2 December 2011.

Animal management and veterinary care workshop

In October 2011 Animals Asia hosted a two-day workshop for animal managers and veterinarians from zoos and safari parks across China to share our animal management and veterinary experience and knowledge to help improve the welfare of captive animals in China.

Heather Bacon, was one of the experienced veterinarians providing animal management knowledge.

Rabies Management Workshop in Shanghai

JMICAWE, working in collaboration with Animals Asia and Global Alliance for Rabies Control hosted the Rabies Management Symposium in September 2011. Heather Bacon, from the JMICAWE gave a lecture on Rabies management at September's Animals Asia – Humane Society International Rabies management workshop.

1st International Symposium on Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law in Hong Kong.

Due to be held on 28 November 2011, in conjunction with the HK SSPCA – this event will be a first, inviting delegates from mainland China as well as other Asian countries, to hear from Overseas & local experts, on why animal welfare matters; the importance of animal welfare training for veterinarians in China and the development of animal welfare legislation in Asia.

Developing animal welfare education programs in India.

Professor Waran will be visiting India again in late November, to further strengthen the relationships the JMICAWE team have successfully built with the Indian Veterinary Council, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), The National Institute from Animal Welfare (NIAW) and the Tamil Nadi Vet School (TAUVAS).

Workshop held at Southwest University, Chongqing

Heather Bacon ran an Animal Welfare Science and clinical skills development workshop, at the Agricultural Department, within the SWU in China in November 2011. The workshop successfully introduced students to the veterinarian’s role in animal welfare and the use of animal manikins as an alternative to animals being used, for educational training. The workshop was also successful in engaging the university teaching staff on the benefits of using animal alternatives models.

Animal Welfare lectures given at AWSELVA Conference

The JMICAWE team are very excited that the Animal Welfare, Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association (AWSELVA) have agreed to host their Autumn Conference at the R(D)SVS on 19 November 2011. Both Heather Bacon (MRCVS) and Professor Natalie Waran, from the JMICAWE, will be presenting during the conference.

Integration of global animal welfare issues into the BVM&S curriculum

The undergraduate veterinary syllabus at the R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, includes a vertical thread course - Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety (AHWFS) .
The JMICAWE team are actively involved with other Academics, to ensure the integration of international animal welfare and ethics are taught successfully throughout the AHWFS course.