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Illuminating Farm Animal Welfare: SAC Open Lectures in Edinburgh

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N144
Published: 25 Nov 2011

Malcolm Mitchell (opens in new window)

Professor Jill Thomson (opens in new window)

At a time when the public’s concern for farm animal welfare is increasing, two leading experts from SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) will deliver open lectures in Edinburgh giving an insight into their groundbreaking work that is helping secure better health and wellbeing for livestock around the world.

Professors Jill Thomson and Malcolm Mitchell were recently awarded Personal Professorships by SAC and are delivering their inaugural lectures at the Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Edinburgh, on the evening of Tuesday 6 December 2001.

Professor in Veterinary Disease Investigation Jill Thomson is Veterinary Manager with SAC Consulting Veterinary Services (SACCVS). Much of Professor Thomson’s career has focused on pig health.

Her lecture, ‘A Passion for Veterinary Puzzles’ will cover examples of animal disease investigations carried out at SACCVS as part of the veterinary disease surveillance and animal welfare advisory activities that are supported by the Scottish Government. Professor Thomson will highlight how SAC works with veterinary surgeons in private practices and other academic institutions to monitor animal disease and welfare, particularly where veterinary disease investigations have subsequently lead to programmes of veterinary research. Focusing on the pig industry, she will explain the value of modern methods of diagnosing and tackling livestock diseases.

Malcolm Mitchell, Professor in Physiology and Animal Welfare with SAC’s Animal and Veterinary Science Group has a worldwide reputation for his research on live animal transport. He has been a frequent member or contributor to Defra and European Food Safety Authority working groups – working most recently on revisions to EU transport regulation.

Professor Mitchell’s lecture, ‘Transport of delight or pigs might fly?’ explores the animal transportation issue. He will detail how, in order to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained in transit, it is necessary to provide an objective, sound scientific basis for improvements in transport practices and vehicle design as well as effective and practical legislation. Within the context of climate change, international trade and a growing world population, Prof Mitchell will describe the background and history of the animal transport research programme and the most important contributions to improved animal welfare in transit.
 
Professor Thomson’s lecture begins at 3pm, Professor Mitchell’s at 4.30pm. The event is free but those wishing to attend should register with Lisa MacDonald at Lisa.MacDonald@sac.co.uk or by calling 0131 533 4008.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Miss Lisa MacDonald
Administrator
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4008
Fax 0131 535 4340

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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