SAC Research

During the workshop four sessions were scheduled which paralleled the introductory talks and specifically provided opportunity for delegates to contribute to discussion on four key areas of sheep welfare noted above.

The list of topics provided to the group chairs appears at the start of each report, though inevitably the breakout groups did not have the time to consider all of these.

It was important for the project team to make the most use of the wide range of knowledge and experience presented amongst the delegates in order for the later stages of the project to be adequately well informed.

Purpose of breakout groups:

• Provide delegates with the opportunity to indicate the relative importance of a number of previously identified welfare compromises
• Provide delegates with the opportunity to identify critical gaps in knowledge and additional areas for consideration by the project team
• To allow adequate time for discussion between the delegates.

Prior to the breakout group sessions, a chairperson and rapporteur were identified for each group. As well as ensuring that the discussion had some structure, it is an amalgamation of their reports that appear in proceedings.

The composition of the breakout groups was different on each occasion to facilitate delegate interaction. Delegates were reminded that the information used to inform the debate did not need to be entirely sheep-centred.