We were delighted that Fritha Langford, was invited by the BVA to represent the JMICAWE and the Animal Welfare Indicators project at this year's Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) forum, that was held on Monday 14 May in London.
The programme began with three engaging talks, coming under the heading of 'Using and abusing: animals for human benefit'. David Martin (BVA Ethics and Welfare Group) discussed livestock shows and a secret underworld of manipulation that breeders carry out on their livestock in a bid to come first in their class.
Fritha particularly enjoyed the session called 'The green, green grass of home, do cows belong in fields? Behavioural and clinical evidence'. Where John Fishwick (RVC) gave an explanation of practises used within large and small scale systems of cattle farming and talked of his experiences of 'mega dairies' in Saudi Arabia. Becky Whay (University of Bristol) then continued the discussion and looked at the behavioural needs of cows and cited some interesting research carried out.
The veterinary ethics role-play and discussion that closed the event was a thought provoking and useful way of presenting ethical dilemmas to a large audience and extremely good fun.
All attendees felt that the 2012 AWF forum was a huge success, provoking many ethical discussions and certainly gave attendees food for thought.
Programme details attached –
http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/headlines/AWF_DF_Prog_2012.pdf
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
The first debate of the Veterinary Ethics Forum - was a great success!
The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education was delighted to support the first debate organised by the student-led Veterinary Ethics Forum.
After an introduction to the issues surrounding selective breeding for specific aesthetic, behavioural or functional traits by Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE, the group of 30-40 veterinary students debated the topic of "At what point does breeding animals for traits become unacceptable?” facilitated by Dr Andrew Gardiner.
Olivia Nathan, the student chair said of the event:
“In the initial debate, breed standards were hauled over the coals and health and welfare were unanimously decided to be at least somewhat compromised in exchange for other traits by many breeders of both companion and livestock species! But how much is too much? We had some great discussion, with people comparing and contrasting dog breeding with farming, questioning the rights of a regulatory body to impose restrictions on an entire group of dogs, discussing what vets could do to have a direct impact and trying to figure out where to draw the line.”
Both staff and students are looking forward to the next meeting and future discussions.
After an introduction to the issues surrounding selective breeding for specific aesthetic, behavioural or functional traits by Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE, the group of 30-40 veterinary students debated the topic of "At what point does breeding animals for traits become unacceptable?” facilitated by Dr Andrew Gardiner.
Olivia Nathan, the student chair said of the event:
“In the initial debate, breed standards were hauled over the coals and health and welfare were unanimously decided to be at least somewhat compromised in exchange for other traits by many breeders of both companion and livestock species! But how much is too much? We had some great discussion, with people comparing and contrasting dog breeding with farming, questioning the rights of a regulatory body to impose restrictions on an entire group of dogs, discussing what vets could do to have a direct impact and trying to figure out where to draw the line.”
Both staff and students are looking forward to the next meeting and future discussions.
Monday, 7 May 2012
Spotting the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse – can you?
An initiative has been launched in Scotland to help vets uncover and tackle domestic abuse where an animal is also being harmed. Research and clinical evidence increasingly suggests links between the abuse of children, vulnerable adults and animals and vets are being asked to join their human medicine counterparts in making the links and tackling abuse.
The launch of the Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative (DAVI), an initiative by Scottish charity Medics Against Violence (MAV), follows the success of a similar initiative with dentists.
According to the police it takes, on average, 35 previous incidents of abuse before a victim feels able to report it. To encourage those suffering domestic abuse to report, a range of strategies and support systems have been put in place which are endorsed and practised by many of the professionals the victim may come into contact with, including doctors and dentists and now veterinary surgeons too.
The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) receives an average of 5 calls a month from vets asking for advice on suspected animal cruelty and abuse cases. Because of the vet-client relationship, members of the veterinary team are also in an ideal position to notice changes in someone’s appearance or behaviour. By expressing concern, vets could give an abused client the confidence to seek help.
The practice note will be supported by more detailed online guidance notes provided by the Links Group. The practice note folds out into an A2 poster which sets out four simple steps (AVDR) to help vets seize the “golden moment” to uncover abuse while acknowledging that the vet is not an expert in human abuse and limiting the vet’s further involvement.
Vets may follow a similar approach to the four steps named in the AVDR approach (which was developed by Dr Barbara Gerbert, University of California, for dentists):
- Asking the clients about abuse
- providing Validating messages acknowledging that violence is wrong and confirming the client’s worth
- Documenting history, presenting signs and disclosures in notes and if possible, with relevant images (for example, x rays or computer images or photographs)
- Referring victims to domestic abuse specialists in the community
The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons covers animal abuse in the client confidentiality section (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/client-confidentiality/)
Further information will shortly be available on the Veterinary Defence Society website www.thevds.co.uk
The launch of the Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative (DAVI), an initiative by Scottish charity Medics Against Violence (MAV), follows the success of a similar initiative with dentists.
According to the police it takes, on average, 35 previous incidents of abuse before a victim feels able to report it. To encourage those suffering domestic abuse to report, a range of strategies and support systems have been put in place which are endorsed and practised by many of the professionals the victim may come into contact with, including doctors and dentists and now veterinary surgeons too.
The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) receives an average of 5 calls a month from vets asking for advice on suspected animal cruelty and abuse cases. Because of the vet-client relationship, members of the veterinary team are also in an ideal position to notice changes in someone’s appearance or behaviour. By expressing concern, vets could give an abused client the confidence to seek help.
The practice note will be supported by more detailed online guidance notes provided by the Links Group. The practice note folds out into an A2 poster which sets out four simple steps (AVDR) to help vets seize the “golden moment” to uncover abuse while acknowledging that the vet is not an expert in human abuse and limiting the vet’s further involvement.
Vets may follow a similar approach to the four steps named in the AVDR approach (which was developed by Dr Barbara Gerbert, University of California, for dentists):
- Asking the clients about abuse
- providing Validating messages acknowledging that violence is wrong and confirming the client’s worth
- Documenting history, presenting signs and disclosures in notes and if possible, with relevant images (for example, x rays or computer images or photographs)
- Referring victims to domestic abuse specialists in the community
The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons covers animal abuse in the client confidentiality section (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/client-confidentiality/)
Further information will shortly be available on the Veterinary Defence Society website www.thevds.co.uk
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Veterinary Ethics Forum
We are delighted to announce that a student-led group called the Veterinary Ethics Forum has been established at Easter Bush, and is welcoming all staff, UG students and PG students to join.
The group is an informal society who hope to meet on a regular basis to listen to external speakers on animal welfare and animal ethics, as well as organising other events to encourage students to think about issues surrounding animal science and set up regular online ethical discussions on their blog and facebook site.
They have only recently been formed, but will be actively recruiting members and supporters throughout the summer and at Freshers Week in September 2012.
Anyone is welcome to their events - just contact their Chairman, Ms Liv Nathan by emailing - vetethics@groups.facebook.com for details.
Or simply visit their facebook site - http://www.facebook.com/groups/vetethics/members.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Great attendance at Edinburgh University's inaugural laboratory animal welfare symposium
It is good to report that 120 of the University's research scientists registered to attend the laboratory animal welfare symposium last week. The event organised by the University's animal welfare committee in partnership with the JMICAWE, aimed to bring together those involved in animal research to consider laboratory animal welfare advances and the use of alternatives.
The audience heard from excellent internal and externally based speakers about the importance of good experimental design, tissue engineering as superior replacements for in vivo experiments, imaging as a means to reduce and replace the use of animals and pain assessment and management. A good number of researchers and technicians competed for the JMICAWE animal alternatives awards and we were delighted to recognise the work of three of the University's staff members for their significant contribution to the development of advances that have the potential to reduce and replace animal use and improve animal welfare. In particular the judging panel were keen to reward the work of a group of researchers who had developed an in vitro model of central nervous system remyelination to enable them to replace animal use whilst investigating effective therapies to treat Multiple Sclerosis. Feedback for the event was extremely positive and it has been decided that this will be an annual event.
Feeding a Food Hungry World and Sustaining Animal Welfare Standards
Last week, Director of the JMICAWE, Professor Natalie
Waran, was invited by the Association of Veterinary teaching and research
workers to give a plenary talk as part of the British Society for Animal
Science conference in Nottingham. The two day conference brought together
researchers, policy makers, vets, farmers and industry representatives to
debate the issues and challenges associated with producing food from healthy
animals that is healthy for consumers, economically sustainable and from
systems that benefit the environment and encompass good welfare and ethics. In
the 30 minute presentation entitled 'Can we sustain Welfare Standards in a food
hungry world'?, Prof Waran described the extent of the issue, with 9 billion
people worldwide, and around 925 million people undernourished and a need to
double food production in Asia over the next 30 years to feed a rapidly
expanding world population. With the demand for food from animals rising as a
result of population growth and a more urban based population demanding a diet
containing more meat, dairy and eggs – animal welfare is of real concern. Prof
Waran discussed the link between human health and animal health and welfare –
and highlighted the importance of constantly improving animal welfare standards
for reducing on-farm risks to food safety and ensuring food security. Along
with reducing meat intake, refining methods for producing animal products, she
considered the potential of replacing meat with plant based protein as well as
the potential for GM and growing meat in a test tube and the importance of
addressing over consumption and food waste. Finally she raised the important
issue of responsibility – suggesting that government,corporate and personal
responsibility for food distribution, food production and food wastage as well
as greater funding to achieve science and technology advances geared towards
the issues faced by the developing countries were needed, alongside improved
education and communication about the relationship between good animal welfare
standards and human health and welfare- if we are to effectively tackle the
problem of how to feed our growing world.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach
Last week saw JMICAWE staff participate in the third European workshop on "Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach". Whilst the meeting is focused primarily on the welfare of livestock species, due to lobbying by campaign groups, captive wildlife welfare sessions have also been included on the agenda. Co-ordinating the sessions on captive wildlife welfare, Heather works with groups with differing philosophies and approaches, to the issues of animal welfare in a zoo environment. Regardless of our own personal opinions on the role of the modern zoo, its undeniable that standards of animal welfare vary greatly from collection to collection, and only by discussing these issues in a constructive environment can we hope to improve this situation. We believe that it is only by engaging with all stakeholders that progress can be made and so this meeting brought together experts from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, The Born Free Foundation, DG Environment (responsible for the EU zoos directive), Chester Zoo and the Riga Zoo, to share experiences and discuss contentious issues with delegates from a range of backgrounds including government, policy, zoo and campaign groups. Topics covered included addressing deficiencies in knowledge and expertise amongst staff, issues of choice and control in animal management strategies, the hand-rearing of young animals and dealing with surplus stock in zoos.
This is the third European workshop with previous regional meetings held in Budapest and Barcelona, and more meetings coming up over the next few months.
http://www.onetec.be/animalwelfare/register.asp
This is the third European workshop with previous regional meetings held in Budapest and Barcelona, and more meetings coming up over the next few months.
http://www.onetec.be/animalwelfare/register.asp
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Equine Welfare Scientists visit the Jeanne Marchig Centre
Earlier this week, we were pleased to welcome researchers in the field of equitation science to Edinburgh to spend the day testing and demonstrating the extremely sensitive technology associated with the measurement of different pressures (rider inputs) associated with equitation.
With the cooperation of colleagues from the Scottish National Equestrian Centre and Oatridge College, scientists from Anglia Ruskin University, Duchy College and Nottingham University were able to work together to develop measurement protocols to enable us to gain a better understanding of the complex interaction between horse and rider. The aim of the work is to use the information gained through these studies to improve the welfare of the horse when under saddle, in hand or driven.
For more information about equitation science go to www.equitationscience.com or follow ISES on Twitter @ISES2012
http://twitter.com/ISESUK2012/status/192933197892419585/photo/1
With the cooperation of colleagues from the Scottish National Equestrian Centre and Oatridge College, scientists from Anglia Ruskin University, Duchy College and Nottingham University were able to work together to develop measurement protocols to enable us to gain a better understanding of the complex interaction between horse and rider. The aim of the work is to use the information gained through these studies to improve the welfare of the horse when under saddle, in hand or driven.
For more information about equitation science go to www.equitationscience.com or follow ISES on Twitter @ISES2012
http://twitter.com/ISESUK2012/status/192933197892419585/photo/1
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Joining discussions on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme
Heather Bacon, JMICAWE's Veterinary Welfare Education and Outreach Manager appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme last week, to discuss the current financial issues faced by many charities and organisations working in the animal welfare sector, in the current financial climate.
Because of the global economic crises, many organisations are facing problems in generating funds for essential animal welfare work, and this emphasises the need for all organisations working in animal welfare to work collaboratively and share resources and expertise.
Additionally the programme highlighted to all animal owners, that we all need to take responsibility for the welfare of the animals that we manage or pets that we own.
Listen to Farming Today - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q.
Because of the global economic crises, many organisations are facing problems in generating funds for essential animal welfare work, and this emphasises the need for all organisations working in animal welfare to work collaboratively and share resources and expertise.
Additionally the programme highlighted to all animal owners, that we all need to take responsibility for the welfare of the animals that we manage or pets that we own.
Listen to Farming Today - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q.
Rescue attempt of whale on North Berwick beach
Last week, Heather Bacon, the JMICAWE's Veterinary Welfare Education and Outreach Manager, was called by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue to attend the stranding of a young minke whale washed up on the shore at North Berwick.
Battling 7 metre waves and driving hail, in freezing conditions, the Coastguard, East Lothian Ranger Service and the Police were already at the scene, along with BDMLR marine mammal medics, when Heather arrived with the BDMLR’s specially designed pontoons to aid in any re-floatation attempts. Sadly it quickly became clear that the young whale, at around 4 ½ metres long was not a candidate for re-floatation due to his own exhaustion and the extreme weather conditions.
Sourcing drugs for whale euthanasia is currently problematic due to restrictions on the specialist drugs needed for such large mammals, but with help from the R(D)SVS, appropriate medication was located.
Sadly the young whale died naturally just as vets were returning to the scene for euthanasia. A sad day for everyone involved but huge thanks to all who turned out to help in such terrible weather.
View - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-17596474
Battling 7 metre waves and driving hail, in freezing conditions, the Coastguard, East Lothian Ranger Service and the Police were already at the scene, along with BDMLR marine mammal medics, when Heather arrived with the BDMLR’s specially designed pontoons to aid in any re-floatation attempts. Sadly it quickly became clear that the young whale, at around 4 ½ metres long was not a candidate for re-floatation due to his own exhaustion and the extreme weather conditions.
Sourcing drugs for whale euthanasia is currently problematic due to restrictions on the specialist drugs needed for such large mammals, but with help from the R(D)SVS, appropriate medication was located.
Sadly the young whale died naturally just as vets were returning to the scene for euthanasia. A sad day for everyone involved but huge thanks to all who turned out to help in such terrible weather.
View - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-17596474
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
An easy and quick way to follow our activities on our blog - by receiving an email
We have been asked how you can access our JMICAWE blog without having to go into our website each day.
The answer is that there are 2 options:
a) Go to http://jmicaweactivities.blogspot.co.uk/ and click on 'join this site' through Google Friend Direct or 'Subscribe to Posts'.
b) The other option is to go through our website www.ed.ac.uk/vet/jmicawe and click on the left hand link 'follow our blog'. You can then click on the navy blue envelope link and enter your email address, so you will receive a prompt with a link to the most recent blog, through your email.
You only need to do one of the above steps once - and afterwards you can look forward to automatically receiving an email prompt informing you of the most recent blog, giving you updates of our activities.
The answer is that there are 2 options:
a) Go to http://jmicaweactivities.blogspot.co.uk/ and click on 'join this site' through Google Friend Direct or 'Subscribe to Posts'.
b) The other option is to go through our website www.ed.ac.uk/vet/jmicawe and click on the left hand link 'follow our blog'. You can then click on the navy blue envelope link and enter your email address, so you will receive a prompt with a link to the most recent blog, through your email.
You only need to do one of the above steps once - and afterwards you can look forward to automatically receiving an email prompt informing you of the most recent blog, giving you updates of our activities.
International Society for Equitation Science to meet in Edinburgh in July this year.
Staff at the JMICAWE are delighted that over 100 abstracts have been submitted for consideration as spoken papers at the upcoming International Society for Equitation Science conference to be held at the vet school in July this year. Equitation Science is a relatively new area of study, and we are extremely pleased to be able to welcome ISES to the RDSVS.
ISES UK 2012 promises to be doubly special – firstly because the conference takes place in Olympic year in the UK – and also because it marks the tenth anniversary since Equitation Science was first recognised as a field of study.
The International Society for Equitation Science is a not-for-profit forum consisting of equine scientists, veterinarians, ethologists, trainers and behaviour specialists from around the world who share the view that human-related causes of undesirable equine behaviour are largely attributed to the current lack of science in equitation. Last year ISES council were pleased to partner with the Bartels family in the Netherlands, to run the ISES international conference alongside the Global Dressage Forum. This allowed ISES to have scientists and practitioners learning together about how science can be applied to practical contexts to ensure the welfare of the performance horse.
The next International Equitation Science Symposium will be held in Edinburgh on the 18th –20th July 2012. The theme is ‘The Road Ahead’ and this will allow equitation scientists to showcase and discuss the latest scientific advances for measuring the impact of the rider/driver and equipment on the horse's performance and welfare.
For more information about the conference visit: http://www.ises-uk2012.com/
ISES UK 2012 promises to be doubly special – firstly because the conference takes place in Olympic year in the UK – and also because it marks the tenth anniversary since Equitation Science was first recognised as a field of study.
The International Society for Equitation Science is a not-for-profit forum consisting of equine scientists, veterinarians, ethologists, trainers and behaviour specialists from around the world who share the view that human-related causes of undesirable equine behaviour are largely attributed to the current lack of science in equitation. Last year ISES council were pleased to partner with the Bartels family in the Netherlands, to run the ISES international conference alongside the Global Dressage Forum. This allowed ISES to have scientists and practitioners learning together about how science can be applied to practical contexts to ensure the welfare of the performance horse.
The next International Equitation Science Symposium will be held in Edinburgh on the 18th –20th July 2012. The theme is ‘The Road Ahead’ and this will allow equitation scientists to showcase and discuss the latest scientific advances for measuring the impact of the rider/driver and equipment on the horse's performance and welfare.
For more information about the conference visit: http://www.ises-uk2012.com/
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
'Animals in research - welfare, ethics and the law' Conference, June 2012
JMICAWE is extremely grateful to UFAW for supporting the upcoming conference on 'Animals in research - welfare, ethics and the law'.
The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has generously provided funding to help run this exciting event in June this year. This unique conference sees JMICAWE collaborating with the University of Northumbria's Faculty of Law to run the first conference to bring together three interrelated strands: ethics, law and science in relation to the use of animals in research. The aim of the conference which will run on the 14th and 15th June at Northumbria University in Newcastle is to focus on the impact of the new EU directive on animal use and welfare. During the course of the two day conference we will bring together lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians to discuss the ethical, legal and scientific issues raised by the new EU Directive (2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
The key objectives of the Conference are to:
1. Examine the ways in which the legislation is likely to impact mechanisms to support and further impel activities regarding the use of Alternatives in biomedical research and teaching;
2. Promote dialogue between lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians regarding the ethical use of animals, and the extent to which welfare can be further improved;
3. Provide a platform for future collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching in this area.
To learn more about the conference and to register to attend go to: http://law.unn.ac.uk/animal_law
The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has generously provided funding to help run this exciting event in June this year. This unique conference sees JMICAWE collaborating with the University of Northumbria's Faculty of Law to run the first conference to bring together three interrelated strands: ethics, law and science in relation to the use of animals in research. The aim of the conference which will run on the 14th and 15th June at Northumbria University in Newcastle is to focus on the impact of the new EU directive on animal use and welfare. During the course of the two day conference we will bring together lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians to discuss the ethical, legal and scientific issues raised by the new EU Directive (2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
The key objectives of the Conference are to:
1. Examine the ways in which the legislation is likely to impact mechanisms to support and further impel activities regarding the use of Alternatives in biomedical research and teaching;
2. Promote dialogue between lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians regarding the ethical use of animals, and the extent to which welfare can be further improved;
3. Provide a platform for future collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching in this area.
To learn more about the conference and to register to attend go to: http://law.unn.ac.uk/animal_law
Thursday, 29 March 2012
JMICAWE - First Asian Symposium - Website now Live!
The Symposium on Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law, the first of its kind in Asia, was held by the SPCA Hong Kong in its 90th anniversary year in conjunction with The University of Edinburgh and supported by the University of Hong Kong.
The aim of the symposium was to present an opportunity for knowledge transfer with in the region and between different disciplines and professions - encouraging discussion and debate around a variety of issues related to animal welfare, ethics and law.
The Symposium provided attendees with a deeper understanding of some of the issues in the inter-related fields of animal welfare, ethics and law and suggest possible mechanisms that could be employed to improve animal welfare.
http://www.animal-welfare-asia.org/
The aim of the symposium was to present an opportunity for knowledge transfer with in the region and between different disciplines and professions - encouraging discussion and debate around a variety of issues related to animal welfare, ethics and law.
The Symposium provided attendees with a deeper understanding of some of the issues in the inter-related fields of animal welfare, ethics and law and suggest possible mechanisms that could be employed to improve animal welfare.
http://www.animal-welfare-asia.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)