Animal welfare and ethics update

LONG AND LOW

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning prospective dog owners about the potential health and welfare problems that can afflict dogs with long, low body types. This follows the top award at Crufts being given to a Wire-Haired Dachshund, raising concerns that the popularity of the breed may rise. The BVA is warning of the risk of serious spinal and neurological issues, citing research showing that “the risk of intervertebral disc disease is 10 to 12 times higher than in other dog breeds, with at least one fifth of all dachshunds showing clinical signs in their life”. Of particular concern, the BVA states that the breed is on the way to becoming the UK’s most fashionable.

Welfare and ethics UPDATE

Virginia Williams, for MPI and the NZVA, provides an update on welfare and ethics.

EU ANIMAL WELFARE

In December 2019 the Council of the European Union published its conclusions on animal welfare as an integral part of sustainable animal production (Council of the European Union, 2019), including the following: » Good animal welfare is an integral part of sustainable animal production. » Good animal welfare in any context improves animal health and reduces the need to use antibiotics, and consequently reduces antimicrobial resistance. » Animal welfare legislation could be further developed or updated to take into account practical problems in the existing legislation, more recent scientific knowledge and technical development, in order to improve animal welfare and harmonisation. » The report stressed the need to improve the welfare of animals during transport over long distances, including finding solutions that facilitate enforcement of the existing transport legislation. » Both the importance of promoting animal welfare globally as well as the competition that European Union farmers are facing in global trade are recognised. Consequently, the report stressed the importance of including animal welfare in free trade agreements as far as possible, seeing these agreements as one of the ways in which to promote animal welfare globally.

REFERENCE:

Council of the European Union. Council conclusions on animal welfare – an integral part of sustainable animal production. www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41863/ st14975-en19.pdf (accessed 19 March 2020), 2019

NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ( NAWAC ) APPOINTMENTS

The Minister for Primary Industries has made the following appointments to NAWAC: » Peter Mason provides the committee with knowledge and experience of environmental and conservation management as well as animal welfare advocacy. Peter is a freelance animal welfare consultant who previously worked for several years at

World Animal Protection and is a former president of SPCA. » Sandra Faulkner is a successful farmer, businesswoman and community stalwart. She provides the committee with knowledge and experience of the commercial use of animals. » Craig Johnson is a veterinary scientist with expertise in pain management. He is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Registered Specialist and a former member of NAWAC. He provides the committee with knowledge and experience of veterinary science, animal welfare advocacy, and ethical standards and conduct in respect of animals. NAWAC Chair Gwyn Verkerk, retired veterinarian and scientist, and Nick Poutu, Technical Advisor (Animal Threats) with the Department of Conservation, have both been reappointed for second three-year terms.

A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC…

A Chinese trial looked at the effects of music in mitigating stress in weaned piglets (Wang et al., 2019). At 35 days piglets were randomly divided into four groups – no music (control), light music, classical music and rock music. The volume was set at 65 decibels and the music was played from 8am to 5pm for 15 days. Piglet behaviour was recorded on days two, eight and 15, and salivary cortisol was recorded on days three and 14. The light-music group won hands down, with significantly increased playful, inquiry and modification behaviour and a significantly reduced occurrence of fighting behaviour. In addition, the level of cortisol at 14 days was significantly lower than it was in the other three groups, indicating that light music was helpful in improving the welfare levels of weaned piglets.

REFERENCE:

Wang G, Ren S, Ren T, Wang S, Ji X, Gao X, Li B. Effects of music types on welfare level of weaned piglets. Swine Production 1, 84–6, 2019

SCOTTISH ANIMAL WELFARE COMMISSION

An independent Animal Welfare Commission has been appointed to provide scientific and ethical advice to the Scottish Government.

The 12 members all have expertise in animal welfare, whether as veterinarians, animal scientists, lawyers or policymakers, and will consider: » how the welfare needs of sentient animals are being met by devolved policy » possible legislative and non-legislative routes to further protect the welfare of sentient animals » the research required for an evidence base for future policy development. The commission will be chaired by Professor Cathy Dwyer of Scotland’s Rural College and the University of Edinburgh.

Unlike those serving on NAWAC, the members of the Scottish commission will receive no financial remuneration for their time.