SA joins Animal Welfare Science Centre

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

South Australia has reinforced its position as a national leader in animal welfare science research after joining the Animal Welfare Science Centre (AWSC).

The Centre plays a crucial role in the development of national standards and guidelines for the welfare of animals.

The University of Adelaide and PIRSA’s South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) are the new South Australian partners, based at the Roseworthy campus. They join Agriculture Victoria and the University of Melbourne in the expanded centre.

The new expanded Centre was unveiled at the Animal Production 2016 conference last night.

“The demand for animal protein is rapidly increasing as per capita incomes in developing countries increases, and at the same time consumers are demanding high standards of animal welfare,” says Professor Phil Hynd, Deputy Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, and the University’s representative on the AWSC board.

Professor Hynd is also President of the Australian Society of Animal Production which is holding the Animal Production 2016 conference.

“The expansion of the Animal Welfare Science Centre builds on South Australia’s reputation as a producer of high-quality food and wine, and brings together all those involved in producing animal products that are not only high-quality, but are produced ethically,” he says.

“It will help ensure our animal science and veterinary science students receive the highest quality training and experience in the best care of animals.”

The AWSC was established in Victoria in 1997 as a leading collaborative entity for research, development, education and training in animal welfare, focusing on livestock, pets, zoo animals and wildlife.

The expanded Centre now has the largest capacity for animal welfare science research, development education and training of any organisation in Australia, and is the second largest in the world, after the University of Bristol.

“South Australia joining the Animal Welfare Science Centre strengthens our position as an integral partner in animal welfare science research,” says Environment Minister Ian Hunter.

“South Australia leads the nation to ensure best practice in securing high standards of welfare for livestock, while increasing the productivity and quality of animal products.

“This will support our primary producers and meet community expectations that the livestock industries are clean, green and humane.”

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