News

UFAW responds to DEFRA consultation on genome editing, highlighting potential welfare benefits but also significant dangers

25 March 2021

In a recent consultation on the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) produced by genome editing (GE) or other genetic technologies, DEFRA* made a distinction between genetic changes that could have been developed using traditional breeding methods and those that could not.  However, the use of traditional breeding methods as a benchmark for what is and what is not acceptable is neither useful, nor scientifically logical.

Rodent glue traps consultation

25 March 2021

UFAW is pleased to see that the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) recommends a ban on the use of glue traps in its recently published report on the use of rodent glue traps in Scotland.

These devices are used to control ‘pests’ including rats and mice by catching them on a sticky board.  Captured animals (which sometimes include non-target species) may remain alive and stuck to the board for hours, causing severe suffering as they try to escape.  Astonishingly, these traps can currently be freely sold to, and used by, the general public in the UK.

UFAW lends support to The Wild Animal Welfare Committee’s virtual conference

22 March 2021

UFAW will be hosting the Wild Animal Welfare Committee’s (WAWC) one day conference on the GoToWebinar platform to enable hundreds of delegates from around the world to be able to attend.

Measuring and reducing damage during net handling of salmon

17 March 2021

In 2020, researchers at the University of Stirling used a UFAW grant to assess the damage (and potential stress) caused to Atlantic salmon by handling in nets. Dr Adam Powell (Marine Environmental Research Laboratory) examined whether different types of net mesh (rubber coated or standard knotless) and the number of fish per net (capture density) affected the extent of scale loss.  

UFAW-funded Animal Welfare Student Scholarship could lead to welfare benefits for laying hens

17 March 2021

UFAW student scholar Rosa Schimmel, who undertook an internship at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Utrecht, was awarded an Animal Welfare Student Scholarship in 2020.  She chose laying hens for her scholarship subject

Small Project funding helps rodents

17 March 2021

In 2019, UFAW awarded a grant of £1,877 under its Small Projects awards to Dr Claire Gibson at the University of Nottingham to enrich the environment of laboratory rodents by providing playpens and toys for them to interact with.

UFAW 2021 conference – latest

26 January 2021

The deadline for receiving abstracts for the 2021 conference – Recent advances in animal welfare science VIII has now passed but we have been delighted with the response

Improvements in animal welfare do not automatically change public opinion or decrease farm income

15 December 2020

A new, more comprehensive approach to evaluating measures to improve sow and piglet welfare in terms of their effect on farm income and public attitudes as well as animal welfare has delivered some interesting results.

UFAW’S Journal Animal Welfare now PCI friendly

3 December 2020

UFAW’s respected and renowned Journal Animal Welfare will now consider articles recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science (PCI Animal Science).

New section editors join UFAW’s Animal Welfare Journal editorial team

3 December 2020

After nearly twenty years of loyal service, Professor Peter Sandøe has stood down as Section Editor for Ethics, Philosophy and Social Science.  During this time, Peter has taken charge of close to 100 papers and we would like to thank him for all his hard work on the Journal, which has been deeply appreciated.