BVA questions Defra on poultry welfare in new slaughter regulations
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has raised an urgent question with Defra over new slaughter regulations for England that are due to come into force on Thursday 5 November. Although BVA has broadly welcomed the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) Regulations, which contain new provisions to improve welfare at slaughter […]
UK businesses excel at Compassion in World Farming’s Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards
Compassion in World Farming celebrated the commitment of leading food businesses to improve animal welfare standards at their Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards held at the Milan Expo on 9 June, hosted by chef, writer and broadcaster, Allegra McEvedy MBE. The ceremony was kindly supported by the European Commission with Andrea Gavinelli (Head of Animal […]
BVA President celebrates Scotland’s animal welfare successes but warns of challenges ahead
John Blackwell, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), praised Scotland for leading the way in many areas of animal welfare but also warned there are challenges ahead for the Scottish Government and vets in Scotland. Speaking at the BVA’s annual Scottish dinner (Wednesday 13 May 2015) hosted by John Scott MSP at the Scottish […]
Pig ‘factory’ plan thrown out
The decision this week to refuse permission for one of Britain’s first industrial-style farms, housing 25,000 pigs, has been welcomed by campaigners. The unit at Foston, Derbyshire, has been the subject of fierce opposition in a four-year-long fight that saw celebrities including actor Dominic West and River Cottage chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall stand up against the […]
English pig industry introduces confidential reporting service
To help maintain high standards of animal welfare on British pig farms, the National Pig Association is introducing a Confidential Reporting Service. The service will also protect pig-keepers from bogus claims by vegan activists who periodically attempt to gain unauthorised entry to pig buildings. It places an obligation on everyone employed on, or visiting, a […]
HSA announces award for significant advances in humane slaughter
The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) has announced the winner of its 2014 award for significant advances in humane slaughter. The award, which recognises individuals or organisations that have made significant scientific, technical or other advances that have led to improvements in the humane slaughter of livestock, has been given to Dr Bert Lambooij DVM of […]
Positive response from Government as slaughter petition reaches 66,000 signatures
The campaign to end non-stun slaughter and provide consumers with better information about the welfare of animals at slaughter has received a positive response from Ministers. Responding to the British Veterinary Association (BVA) e-petition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated that it would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter, […]
BVA launches petition to end non-stun slaughter
The campaign to end non-stun slaughter to improve animal welfare at the time of death has been stepped up with the launch of a government epetition by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), with the support of the RSPCA, at www.bit.ly/stunB4slaughter. European and UK legislation requires all animals to be stunned before slaughter to render them […]
McDonald’s to receive recognition for good sow welfare
McDonald’s Europe previously received a Good Egg Award in 2008 for its commitment to source only cage-free whole eggs across its entire European operation and this year Compassion will be awarding McDonald’s UK for its move to support the welfare needs of sows in its supply chain. McDonald’s UK recently announced it was switching to […]
