Julia Wrathall

As head of department, Julia leads a team of scientists developing the RSPCA’s position on farm animal welfare issues.

Julia is an animal welfare scientist and livestock production specialist with over 25 years' experience working in the field of general farm animal production and welfare. She has a Masters degree in farm animal production, a PhD in ruminant endocrinology and other qualifications in animal behaviour and human-animal interactions. She has worked for the RSPCA for nearly 20 years.

She and her department offer a wealth of technical and scientific information and advice on all aspects of farm animal welfare on farm, during transport and at the time of slaughter/killing to the farming and food industries and governments, as well as liaising with the veterinary profession and welfare science research community.

Julia has been instrumental in developing the species-specific RSPCA welfare standards for farm animals that are applied through the Society's higher welfare farm assurance scheme, Freedom Food.

The Council of Europe, Farm Animal Welfare Forum, various farming industry committees and the US Humane Farm Animal Care Scientific Committee all utilise her expertise as a representative.

Julia has wide experience working with the media and regularly comments for both TV and radio. She was directly involved with Channel 4's 'Jamie saves our bacon' programme and recent work includes an interview on Countryfile.

Outside of the RSPCA, Julia is a dog obedience trainer and published poet.