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The Humane Slaughter Association is this years' recipient of the prestigious BSAS/RSPCA Award, presented for outstanding contribution to animal welfare.
The award was presented to James Kirkwood, Chief Executive and Scientific Director of the Humane Slaughter Association on behalf of the Association, " For its outstanding contribution to animal welfare through promoting humane methods of slaughter and reforms in livestock markets and transportation." Dr Kirkwood expressed his delight at this award for the HSA and paid tribute to the work done by both the current team and their many predecessors.
The Humane Slaughter Association generally known as HSA was established in 1911. The Association has maintained a practical, rational approach to animal welfare and, over the last 80 years, it has been responsible for many of the reforms now taken for granted. The Association's first aim was to replace the pole-axe with a mechanically operated humane stunner. In recent times it has been instrumental in achieving towards changes in legislation, establishing a wide range of training courses and workshops, developed a widely acclaimed training video The Road Ahead - Livestock Welfare in Transit and has campaigned tirelessly for good animal welfare beyond the farm gate, for the humane treatment of animals in markets, during transport and to the point of slaughter.
The award was presented by David Thomas of the RSPCA who said, "The RSPCA is always delighted to acknowledge the work of others who give animal welfare the same high priority. The HSA's effectiveness, through application of science, technology and practical experience, in securing improvements to the welfare of farm animals particularly when they are most vulnerable, makes the association a very worthy winner of this year's BSAS/RSPCA award for outstanding contribution to animal welfare."
He concluded by commenting that, "Our relationship with BSAS (British Society of Animal Science) is very important to us and serves to underline the importance of good science in improving welfare standards. This is the 17th award, and in recent times it has become more important as pressure increases to integrate improved welfare standards into livestock production systems. In order to ensure that the changes are meaningful from the animals' point of view, the standards, should, of course, be based on the best scientific evidence whenever possible."
Dr Janice Harland
BSAS Press Officer
01285 850661
or
Mike Steele
BSAS Office
0131 445 4508