SA has strengthened its position in animal welfare research after joining the Animal Welfare Science Centre.
SARDI and the University of Adelaide have partnered with Agriculture Victoria and the University of Melbourne to expand the centre at the University’s Roseworthy Campus. They will conduct research into the humane treatment of animals which will enable producers to strive for best practice and underpin future animal welfare legislation.
The partnership was officially launched in conjunction with the Australian Society of Animal Production’s biennial conference this week at Glenelg.
The Centre founded in 1997 will have the largest capacity for animal welfare research in Australia and second only to the University of Bristol in the UK.
Interim centre chair Greg Harper from Agriculture Victoria said government would depend on work by groups at Roseworthy on chicken and pig and other livestock welfare to underpin next generation of legislation.
University of Adelaide vice chancellor Warren Bebbington said the university had a strong track record in animal science research with good welfare practices underpinning all of this.
The AWSC would build on this.
“Animal welfare and the application of evidence based systems of humane animal production is becoming increasingly more important as demand for animal protein grows and the consumer demands the highest standard of animal welfare.”
“This will build the evidence based systems animal producers need to produce high quality humane animal products and ensure those working in animal and veterinary sectors into the future receive the highest quality training in the best care of animals,” Prof Bebbington said.
Environment minister Ian Hunter said the community and consumers were demanding improved standards for animal based systems included free range poultry, reduced confinement of pigs, improved animal husbandry of sheep and cattle and improved transport conditions.
The centre had the potential to do this based on stringent research as well as support the state’s livestock producers..
Minister Hunter said the SA government was committed to basing all of its policy decisions on rigorous science.
“This will be vital if we are to maintain the trust of the community in producing premium wine and food,” he said.
“We are here today because we believe in the standards that ensure the welfare of livestock whilst increase the productivity and quality of animal products . We want to support our producers as well as being committed to our expectations that our livestock industry is clean, green and humane.”
