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SCIENCEGROUPREVIEWOF2012www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupPublishedFebruary2013HelpinganimalsTHROUGHWELFARESCIENCE 2Sciencegroupreviewof2012ForewordAsaninternationallyacknowledgedcentreofexpertisetheRSPCAScienceGroupprovidesasoundscientificbasefromwhichtheRSPCAworkstoadvancethecauseofanimalwelfareeffectivelyandefficiently.AgreatstrengthoftheRSPCAisthatwestrivetobaseourpoliciesactivitiesandapproachestopromotinganimalwelfareonscientificevidenceandpracticalexperience.Thisgivestheorganisationcredibilitywithitssupportersthegeneralpublicanddecisionmakersaswellashelpingtoensurewemaketherightdecisionsforanimalwelfare.TheRSPCAScienceGroupconsistsofapproximately25postgraduateandpostdoctoralanimalwelfarescientists.Weaimtobeawellrespectedauthorityonawiderangeofanimalwelfaresciencethroughgatheringassessingandpresentingcomprehensivescientificandtechnicalinformationandadviceonmanyrelevantissues.InordertopromotepracticaladvancesinanimalwelfareweengageactivelywithpolicyanddecisionmakersingovernmentsindustryandthewidercommunitybothnationallyandinternationallyOurworktosupporttheanimalwelfareactivitiesoftheRSPCAiswiderangingandincludesforexamplethedevelopmentoftheRSPCAstandardsforthewelfareoffarmedanimalsthatunderpintheFreedomFoodscheme.ThislatesteditionoftheRSPCAScienceGroupReviewof2012highlightssomeofthemostsignificantanimalwelfareissuesofthepastyearalongwithkeyactivitiesundertakenbythespecialistscientificandveterinarystaffwithinthefourdepartmentsoftheRSPCAScienceGroupaswellasRSPCAwildlifecentresandanimalhospitals.WehopeyoufindthisReviewbothinterestingandinformative.Pleasecirculateitfreelytocolleagues.ForfutherdetailsabouttheongoingworkoftheRSPCAScienceGroupvisitwww.rspca.org.uksciencegroup.Helpinganimalsthroughwelfarescience Sciencegroupreviewof20123ContentsCompanionanimalslJoiningforces5lRSPCAlicensingconditions5lPuppypower6lPedigreedogs6lModellicenceconditions6lBorntosuffer6lPetschool7lRabbitwelfareintheUK7lUnderstandingdogbehaviour8lEngagingwithdecisionmakers8lRSPCAanimalhospitals9FarmanimalslAstrongevidencebaseforfarmanimalwelfare11lDevelopingRSPCAwelfarestandards12lFarmlivestockofficers12lGreenFoodProject12lAssureWeladvancesassessmentofwelfareonfarms13lDairy202013lNewopenwaterstandardsforducks14lPigHealthandWelfareCouncilnewsub-group14lChickenwelfareassessmentcentre14-15lEngagingwithdecisionmakers15ResearchanimalslNewanimalexperimentslawfortheUK17lEndingseveresuffering18lDeliveringinternationaltraining18-19lRodentwelfare19lGeneticallyalteredanimalsreductionandrefinement20lEthicalreview20lEngagingwithdecisionmakers21WildlifelHedgehoghibernationpatterntrackingproject22-23lPrimateskeptaspets23lWildanimalpets24lBadgercullcontroversy24lRSPCAEastWinchWildlifeCentrelRSPCAMallydamsWoodWildlifeCentre25lRSPCAStapeleyGrangeWildlifeCentrelRSPCAEastWinchWildlifeCentre26lEngagingwithdecisionmakers26-27 4Sciencegroupreviewof2012CompanionanimalsTheRSPCAhelpsmanythousandsofcompanionanimalseveryyeareitherdirectlythroughrescueandrehomingorthroughfocussededucationalinitiativesandengagingwithvariousstakeholders.ThisyearhasseenanumberofinitiativesincludingmajorcampaignsonrabbitsandpedigreedogsthelaunchofthepuppycontractseveralpromisinggovernmentalinitiativesespeciallyinWalesfruitfulcollaborationswiththehorseracingindustryandpetshopsandamajorinvestmentinbehaviouraltrainingwithinRSPCAanimalcentres.TheRSPCAcompanionanimalsdepartmenthelpstodirectandsupportthiswork.ThedepartmentsscientistshaveawiderangeofexperienceincludingkennellingclinicalbehaviourenrichmentandethicsalongsideyearsofpracticalexperienceinanimalcentresRSPCAbranchespetshopsandveterinarypractice.OurspecialistknowledgecombinedwithrigorousethicalanalysesofourJoeMurphyx2BeckyMurrayRSPCAPhotolibrarywww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupcompanionanimalsresponsibilitiesallowsustomakebestuseofscientificevidencetohelpanimals.EvidencefromexperienceinsideandoutsidethedepartmentaswellasadeepengagementwithcarersandpolicymakershelpsustomeetthespecificwelfareneedsoftheanimalsinRSPCAcare.JamesYeatesBVScBScDWELDipECAWBMWSELPhDMRCVSHeadofdepartmentSamanthaGainesBScMScPhDDeputyheadClaireCalderBScMScSeniorscientificofficeruntil1.2.12RachelRoxburghBScLisaRichardsBScAnnaClaxtonBScMScKerryWestwoodBScPhDuntil17.10.12SophieHackingBScfrom9.2.12JennaKiddieBScMScPhDuntil6.7.12ScientificofficersCarolAnneBullOfficemanageruntil17.8.12 Sciencegroupreviewof20125www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupcompanionanimalsRSPCAlicensingconditionsInMarch2012theRSPCAlaunchedareviewoftheRSPCALicensingConditionsusedinRSPCAanimalcentres.Thecompanionanimalsdepartmenthasworkedcloselywithcolleaguesintheveterinarydepartmenttocollateandreviewanimalwelfareresearchfortherangeofcompanionanimalsinourcare.Thereviewandeventualdisseminationofthenewconditionswillensurethatthewelfareneedsoftheanimalsinourcarearemettotheextentrequiredbygoodpracticeunderpinnedbythemostrecentscientificevidence.Thisprojectalsoinvolvescollaborationwithcolleaguesinthefieldtoensurethatallconditionssetarepracticalforstaffcaringfortheanimals.Evidence-basedguidanceisalsobeingproducedtoofferfurthersupporttothosethatfollowandenforcethem.ItisanticipatedthatthenewversionoftheRSPCALicensingConditionswillbelaunchedin2013.JoiningforcesInJuly2012theRSPCAenteredintoaground-breakingpartnershipwithPetsatHomethatcouldseemajoradvancesinthewelfareofpets.BothorganisationsexpecttheretobearangeofpotentialanimalwelfarebenefitsincludinglpromotingRSPCA-rescuedanimalsindesperateneedoflovinghomeslpoolingofinformationheldbybothorganisationsaboutthenumberofanimalsrehomedneuteredormicrochippedtorevealkeyanimalwelfaretrendsanddatathatcouldbeusedtoimproveeducationcampaignsandprovisionofserviceslprovidingtherightadviceandproductstopotentialownersandcommunicatingclearmessagesonresponsiblepetownershiptoreducethenumberofpeopletakingonananimalwithoutclearknowledgeofhowtocareforthemldevelopingjointpromotionalworkgivingspecificadvicetopeopleonthedietaryandwelfareneedsofrabbitsandotherpets.TosupporttheRSPCAsworkwithPetsatHometheRSPCAcompanionanimalsdepartmenthasbeendevelopingjointlybrandedpetcareliteraturebasedoncurrentscientificresearchandRSPCAfieldexpertise.Theaimoftheliteratureistoensurecustomersaremakingtherightdecisionwhenintroducinganewpettothefamilyandhavetheinformationtheyneedtokeeptheirpetshappyandhealthy.Theliteraturecoversarangeofspeciesandtopicsincludingchinchillashamstersgerbilstravellingwithyourpetandfleaandwormtreatments.ThecompanionanimalsdepartmentisworkingcloselywithcolleaguesinotherdepartmentsandPetsatHometodeveloparangeofproductkitsforcatsdogsandrabbits.TheseproductshavebeenchosentoencourageresponsiblepetownershipandtohelpownersmeetthewelfareneedsoftheirpetsTheRSPCAalsolauncheditsfirstin-storeadoptioncentreinPetsatHomesflagshipstoreinStockportonthe26thNovember2012.ThisisthefirsttimetheRSPCAhasopenedanadoptioncentreinaretailenvironmentandthecompanionanimalsdepartmentwascloselyinvolvedinthedesignofthecentreanddevelopingguidancetoensurethewelfareneedsoftheanimalswhilsthoused.ItwillprovidetheRSPCAwithauniqueopportunitytofindnewhomesforcruellytreatedandneglectedcatsdogsandrabbits.CustomerscanalsoseekadviceonpetcareandinformationaboutotherRSPCAanimalsavailableforadoptioninthelocalarea.ThisisthefirstofseveralcentresplannedacrossEnglandandWales. 6Sciencegroupreviewof2012www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupcompanionanimalsAndrewLinscottJoeMurphyx2PhilipToscanoRSPCAPhotolibraryModellicenceconditionsThroughout2012wehavecontinuedworkingwithotherwelfareorganisationslocalauthoritiesandrelevantindustrybodiestoreviewmodellicenceconditionsforprivateboardingestablishmentsforcats.ThecurrentlicenceconditionguidelinesarebasedonTheAnimalBoardingEstablishmentsAct1963butwiththeintroductionoftheAnimalWelfareActAWA2006theseguidelineshavebecomeoutdated.TheworkinggroupisreviewingtheconditionstoensurethattheyareinlinewiththeAWAandcontainalloftheinformationneededtoensurethewelfareofcatsboardedattheseestablishments.In2012asimilarreviewofthemodellicenceconditionsfordogbreedingestablishmentsbegantoensurethatthewelfareneedsofalldogsatbreedingestablishmentsaremet.Workonthiswillcontinuein2013.PuppypowerThecompanionanimalsdepartmenthasbeenworkingwiththeBritishVeterinaryAssociationAnimalWelfareFoundationBVAAWFtodevelopapuppysalescontractandpuppyinformationpackPIPwhichwerelaunchedinApril2012.ThecontractandPIPempowerpuppybuyerstomakeproperlyinformeddecisionswhenbuyingapuppyandhelpthemavoidtheproblemsthatcanarisefrombuyingapuppyfromanirresponsiblebreeder.Puppybuyerscanusetheinformationprovidedbythebreederorsellertomakeadecisiononwhethertheywanttobuythepuppytheyhaveseen.Forbreedersandsellersthecontractisarecordofthethoughtandattentiontheyhavedevotedtotheirpuppiesbreedingandcare.ThePIPcontainsimportantinformationaboutthepuppyandhisherparentsandistiedintothecontractwhichcontainsawarrantyfromthesellerthattheinformationinthePIPistrueandcomplete.AccompanyingguidancenotesexplaintherelevanceoftheinformationinthePIPtothewelfareofthepuppy.Thecontractcanbeusedforallpuppieswhethertheyarepedigreeornotandbyanybreederorseller.ThepuppycontractandPIPareendorsedbymanykeyanimalwelfareorganisationsandcanbedownloadedfromwww.puppycontract.org.ukPedigreedogsThroughout2012theRSPCAcompanionanimalsdepartmenthasbeencontinuingimportantworkonthewelfareissuesassociatedwithpedigreedogbreeding.ThreemajorreportsondogbreedinghavebeenpublishedintheUK1inthelastthreeyearsincludinganindependentscientificreportcommissionedbythecompanionanimalsdepartment.Eachofthereportsconcludedthatthewelfareissuesassociatedwithpedigreedogbreedingareveryseriousandthaturgentactionisneededtoimproveandprotectthewelfareofpedigreedogs.Eachreportalsoincludedaseriesofrecommendationsforpossiblewaysforwardthesehaveinformedthedepartmentsactivitiesonthissignificantanimalwelfareissueoverthelastthreeyears.Allthreereportsondogbreedingidentifiedanurgentneedforthesystematiccollectionofdataontheoccurrenceofinheriteddiseasesfromfirst-opinionveterinarypractices.Consequentlythroughout2012thecompanionanimalsdepartmenthavecontinuedtofundaVetCompassPhDresearchprojectwiththeRoyalVeterinaryCollegeandtheUniversityofSydney.ItisnotjustdogsthatareaffectedbywelfareissuesfromselectivebreedingsothePhDstudyaimstoestimatetheprevalenceofinheritedandacquireddisordersinbothdogsandcatstohighlightbreedsatgreatestriskofspecificconditions.WorkontheVetCompassprojectstartedinOctober2010andbytheendof2012VetCompassheldclinicaldataonover184000catsand232000dogs.MoreinformationisavailableontheVetCompassprojectwebsiteathttpwww.rvc.ac.ukVetCOMPASSBorntosufferTheRSPCAsBredforlooksborntosuffercampaignwaslaunchedinDecember2011andseeksanendtothebreedingofdogsbasedonappearance.Theonlinepetitioncallsforbreedstandardstobechangedsothattheyprioritisethehealthwelfareandtemperamentofadogoveritslooks.Attheendof2012thepetitionhadover20000signaturesindicatingthisisanissuethatthepublicalsofeelverystronglyabout.Moreinformationisavailableonthecampaignwebsitewww.rspca.org.ukborntosuffer1.PedigreeDogBreedingintheUKAMajorWelfareConcerncommissionedbytheRSPCAisavailableatwww.rspca.org.ukpedigreedogsAHealthierFutureforPedigreeDogsbytheAssociateParliamentaryGroupforAnimalWelfareAPGAWisavailableatwww.apgaw.orgreports-and-publicationsTheIndependentInquiryIntoDogBreedingcommissionedbytheKennelClubandtheDogsTrustisavailableatwww.dogbreedinginquiry.com Sciencegroupreviewof20127www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupcompanionanimalsPetschoolAnexcitingopportunitytopromoteresponsiblepetownershipinvolvedthecompanionanimalsdepartmentworkingwiththeRSPCAsPerformingAnimalsConsultancyonthePetSchooltelevisionseries.CommissionedbytheBBCtheserieswasfilmedduringAugustandairedasaseasonofprogrammesaboutpetsinDecember2012onBBC1andCBBC.Ninechildrenwhowantedtogetapetwerechosentotakepartcompletingdailyhusbandrytaskslearningaboutanimalsfromarangeofvisitorsandspendingtimewiththeirownpet.FeaturingawiderangeofcompanionexoticandfarmanimalspeciesmanyoftheanimalsusedweresuppliedbyrescueorganisationsincludingtheRSPCAandsowerelookingforahomeatthetimeoffilming.Throughouttheseriestherewasastrongemphasisonpromotingtheideathatchildrenthoroughlyresearchtheirchoiceofpetincludingwheretosourcetheiranimalfromhowmuchisinvolvedincaringforapetandthepoorwelfareoutcomesifpeopleareirresponsiblepetowners.Theseriesculminatedwiththechildrensparentsdecidingiftheirchildwascapableoflookingaftertheirchosenpetathome.AmemberoftheRSPCAcompanionanimalsteamworkedasanindependentanimalwelfareadvisorontheseriesofferingadvicetotheproductionteamonallaspectsoftheanimalswelfareincludingaccommodationdesignandhusbandryadvice.Animalwelfareriskassessmentswereproducedtoensurethatallmembersoftheproductionteamunderstoodtheirresponsibilitiesfortheanimalswelfare.TheRSPCAadvisorwaspresentduringfilmingandpost-productionsupportwasalsoofferedbyassistingintheeditingprocesstoguidetheproductionintheprogrammesmessaging.MoreinformationaboutthePerformingAnimalsConsultancyandtheworkitdoescanbefoundbyvisitinghttpperforminganimals.rspca.org.ukhomeRabbitwelfareintheUKImprovingcompanionrabbitwelfareisatoppriorityfortheRSPCA.WhatBugsaBunnytheRSPCAsrabbitwelfarecampaignwasofficiallylaunchedinJune.Thecampaignaimstochangethecommonperceptionthatrabbitsareeasypetstokeepincreaseunderstandingoftheircomplexneedsandultimatelyimproverabbitwelfare.ThecampaignisbasedonthefindingsofanRSPCA-commissionedstudyintothestateofrabbitwelfareintheUKconductedattheUniveristyofBristolbyateamofwelfarescientistsbehaviouristsandvets.The16-monthstudyinvestigatedthehusbandryhousingbehaviourandhealthoftheUKrabbitpopulationandshedslightonthemostimportantrabbitwelfareissues.Theresultsofthestudyareduetobepublishedin2013.ThroughextensivepresscoverageonlinevideosandsocialmediaactivitiesthefirstpartofthecampaignHayFeverpromotedtheimportanceoffeedingrabbitsthecorrectdietofmainlyhayandgrass.ThistopicwaschosenbecausetheBristolstudyidentifiedalackofgrassandhayinrabbitsdietsasoneofthekeywelfareissuesaffectingcompanionrabbitsintheUK.InSeptemberthecampaignfocussedontheissueofpreventativehealthcarethroughRabbitAwarenessWeekRAW.TheRSPCAisanofficialpartnerofRAWwhichaimstoraiseawarenessofthewelfareneedsofpetrabbits.RSPCAcentresandbranchesranrabbiteducationeventsandofferedfreehealthchecksinassociationwithlocalveterinarypractices.ThisyearsthemewastheimportanceofregularveterinaryhealthchecksandvaccinationsagainstMyxomatosisandRabbitHaemorrhagicDisease.TheBristolstudyfoundthatthesetwodiseaseswereratedbyexpertsasthewelfareissuesthatcausethemostintensesufferingtopetrabbits.TheRSPCAhasalsofundedafurtherstudyattheUniversityofBristoltoinvestigatethespatialneedsofpair-housedrabbits.Thefindingsofthisstudywillformthebasisfornewevidence-basedrabbithousingguidelineswhichtheRSPCAhopestolaunchin2013.Theongoingcampaignwillseektoaddressotherpriorityrabbitwelfareissuesin2013andbeyondincludingsuitablehousingandcompanionship.Furtherdetailsofthecampaigncanbefoundatwww.rspca.org.ukwhatbugsabunny www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupcompanionanimals8Sciencegroupreviewof2012MembershipofcommitteesandworkinggroupslModellicenceconditionskennelandcatterygroup.lModellicenceconditionsdogbreedingestablishmentsgroup.lDogbreedingstakeholdergroup.MeetingsandeventslStatusdogsummitUniversityofWarwick.lEquinesummitHorshamWestSussex.lEmotionalEnrichmentworkshopheldatHunterCollegeNewYorkCity.lDogbreedingstakeholdergroupmeetingtodiscusstheRSPCABVAAWFPuppycontract.lAttendedpanelsessionsforAPGAW.lMeetingswithvariouselectedpoliticiansacrossallparties.lMeetingswithAnimalHealthandWelfareBoardforEngland.lAdvisedBritishHorseracingAuthority.lSpokeatconferencesoneuthanasiaanddogpopulationcontrol.lSpokeatUKpartypoliticalconferencefringeeventswithBlueCross.lLecturedatBristolCambridgeandGlasgow.lChairedcatneuteringworkshopstocoordinateeffortsbasedonresearch.lAssociationofPetBehaviourCounsellorsAPBCannualfelineconferenceNorthants.lFelineAdvisoryBureauannualconferenceBasingstoke.lLondonVetShowOlympia.lJointmeetingoftheAdvisoryCouncilandtheDogWelfareReviewBoard.lMeetingwithGrey2KUSA.lRSPCACymruAnnualGalaDinnerandlaunchoftheDogWelfareIndicatorsreport.lCompanionAnimalWelfareCouncilCAWCCompanionAnimalSectorCouncilCASCjointmeetingHouseofLords.lRabbitWelfareAssociationFundAnnualConferenceRabbitInteractiveCambridgeshire.ResponsestoconsultationsincludedthefollowingWelshGovernmentlSecondconsultationonthedraftAnimalWelfareBreedingofDogsWalesRegulations2012.lCompulsorymicrochippingofdogs.EngagingwithdecisionmakersAPGAWlDogBreedingUpdatereport.DefralTacklingirresponsibledogownership.lProposaltoincreasethefeetoaddaprohibitedtypedogtotheIndexofExemptedDogsWales.EfralDogcontrolandwelfare.RoyalMailGroupLtdlIndependentinquiryintoattacksonpostalworkersintheUK.ExternalfundinglVetCompass.ScienticpublicationsandpresentationslEnsuringkennelleddogwelfareapresentationattheRSPCAstatusdogsummit.lEmotionalEnrichmentincaptiveanimalsapresentationatEmotionalEnrichmentworkshopheldatHunterCollegeNewYorkCity.lYeatesJ.2012QualityTimeEthicalApproachestotheLifeWorthLivingConceptinFarmAnimalWelfareJournalofAgriculturalandEnvironmentalEthics254607-624.lYeatesJ.W.2012Economicsandanimalwelfareinsmallanimalveterinarypracticethecaseofgeneticwelfareproblems.AnimalWelfare21S1155-160.lYeatesJ.2012HowshouldveterinarysurgeonsadapttoachieveanimalwelfareEditorialTheVeterinaryJournal19267.lYeatesJ.W.2012MaximisingcaninewelfareinveterinarypracticeandresearchAreview.VeterinaryJournal1923272-8.lBonesV.C.YeatesJ.2012TheEmergenceofVeterinaryOathsSocialHistoricalandEthicalConsiderationsJournalofAnimalEthics2120-42.lYeatesJ.W.2012Whistle-blowingintheveterinaryprofessionTheVeterinaryJournal191147-150.lYeatesJ.W.2012Brain-painDoanimalswithhighercognitivecapacitiesfeelmorepainInsightsforspeciesselectioninscientificexperimentspp24-46inKHagenASchniekeFThieleedsLargeanimalsasbiomedicalmodelsEthicalsocietallegalandbiologicalaspects.EuropischeAkademie.Researchhasshownthatyoungchildrenaremoreatriskofgettingbittenthananyotherpopulationgroupandpeoplearemorelikelytobebittenbyadogintheirfamilythananunfamiliarone.Providinginformationforprospectiveparentsandfamilieswithchildrencanhelptosafeguardbothchildsafetyanddogwelfareaswellencouragingchildrenanddogstoenjoyoneanotherscompany.In2012theRSPCAcompanionanimalsdepartmentpublishedGrowingupwithadogwhichincludesinformationandadviceonhowtoprepareadogforthearrivalofanew-bornbaby.Theleafletalsoadvisesonhowtohelpchildrenlearnaboutdogsaswellasprovidinginvaluablepointerstounderstandingdogbehaviourandcommunication.Thisleafletcanalsobedownloadedatwww.rspca.org.ukdogsPostalworkersregularlycomeintocontactwithunfamiliardogsandaround6000employeesareinjuredeveryyear.Mostdogsshowaggressionbecausetheyfeelthreatenedsounderstandinghowtoavoidsuchsituationscanhelpprotecthumansafetyanddogwelfare.In2012fundingreceivedfromPostalAuditstheUKslargestmailauditingcompanywasusedtoproducebothonlineadviceforthosewhoregularlycomeintocontactwithdogsaswellasaleafletwhichexplainswhydogsuseaggressionandwhattodowhenmeetinganunfamiliardog.Forfurtherinformationgotowww.rspca.org.ukdogsUnderstandingdogbehaviourRSPCA www.rspca.org.ukin-actionwhatwedovetcareSciencegroupreviewof20129QualityorquantityIthasbeenestimatedthatover90percent1ofcatswillbeneuteredduringtheirlifetimes.DespitesuchahighpercentageuptakeeachyearunwantedkittensandunplannedlittersplaceasignificantburdenonRSPCAhospitalsanimalcentresandbranches.Anun-neuteredfemalecatinamulti-cathouseholdorwithoutdooraccessislikelytoconceivesoonafterpubertywhichmayoccurfromfourmonthsofage.Unplannedpregnanciesmaybefoundinalmost30percentofelectivepubliccatneutersatRSPCAhospitalsduringthesummermonths.Awidespreadneuteringcampaignwillnotachievepopulationcontrolifthepatientshaveproducedoffspringpriortotheirsurgicalappointment.Successislikelytoinvolveneuteringpriortopubertyaswellasconvincingtheownersoftherefractory10percentofcatsabouttheimportanceofneuteringbeforeconception.Findingtheelusive10percentRatherthanfocusingonthetotalnumberofneutersthehospitalisusingtwomethodstoidentifythosecatsmostlikelytocontributetopetoverpopulation1.Analysisofpostcodedatarelatingtopregnantcatspaysbelongingtocharityhospitalclients.2.AnalysisofRSPCAtelephonecalldatarelatingtokittenproblemswithinthehospitalcatchmentarea.Subsequentlyclinicalauditcanbeusedtoanalysehospitalneuteringperformance.1.Whenthehospitalvetscarryoutoff-siteneuteringatRSPCAanimalestablishmentsitisvitalthatallanimalsareneuteredpriortoadoption.Thetargetis100percentsurgicalsterilizationpriortoadoption.2.Themeanageatneuterforpublicownedqueensshouldreduceasprepubertalneuteringisadopted.Ideallythemeanspayageshouldapproachorbelowerthanfourmonthsforfemalecats.3.Whenwelfarehotspotsarecorrectlyidentifiedhospitalstaffshouldbepreparedtodealwithahighpercentageofsurgicalterminationsofunplannedpregnancies.Eachpregnantcatspaysignificantlyeasesthelocalrehomingburden.NeuteringpriortopubertyIn2012theRSPCAGreaterManchesterAnimalHospitalpublishedapainstudy2whichsupportedtheideathatneuteringpriortopubertycouldbeaccomplishedinapainfreemannerinsmallanimalpractice.Furthermorehospitalstaffhavedeliveredtraininglecturestobothveterinarysurgeonandnursingaudiences.Prepubertalneuteringisgainingpopularityasaprocedureassociatedwithreducedmorbiditycomparedtoconventionalneutering.2.JFelineMedSurg.2012Aug148553-9Analgesiaafterovariohysterectomyundermidazolam-medetomidine-ketamineanaesthesiawithbuprenorphineorbutorphanolandcarprofenormeloxicamaprospectiverandomisedclinicaltrial.PolsonSTaylorPMYatesD.Neuteringkittenseliminatesthelikelihoodofunplannedoffspring.Thislitterwasneuteredpriortoadoptionanysubsequentdifficultyassociatedwithschedulinganeuteringappointmentforanownedanimalisthereforeavoided.051015202530ofpregnantcatsspayedDecember2005December2006December2007December2008December2009December2010December2011RSPCApubliccatspaysThisgraphshowsthepercentageofpubliccatspayswhicharefoundtobepregnantatsurgery.Eachyearshowsapeakofreproductiveactivityinthesummermonths.Analarmingnumberofownersareunawareofthepossibilityofpregnancyintheircats.REFERENCES1VetRec2009Jan311645137-41SurveyofthecharacteristicsofcatsownedbyhouseholdsintheUKandfactorsaffectingtheirneuteredstatus.MurrayJKRobertsMAWhitmarshAGruffydd-JonesTJ.RSPCAanimalhospitalsOurfourRSPCAanimalhospitalsand38clinicsprovidepreventativemedicineandwelfaretreatmentsforpetsbelongingtoownerswhoareunabletoaffordprivateveterinaryfees.RSPCAregionalanimalhospitaldirectorsDavidGrantMBEBVetMedCertSADFRCVSuntil15.8.12JulieJohnsonBScBVetMedMRCVSDipl.MgmtRebeccaWillbyBVScBScMRCVSDavidYatesBVScMRCVS www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimals10Sciencegroupreviewof2012FarmanimalsTheRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentisworkingtoimprovethewelfareofasmanyfarmanimalsaspossibleateverystageoftheirlives.HundredsofmillionsoffarmanimalsarerearedintheUKeachyearthemajorityofwhomarerearedtransportedandslaughteredkilledinwaysthattheRSPCAbelievesdonotmeettheirbehaviouralandphysicalneedsalthoughlegallypermitted.ThedepartmentsscientificandfieldstaffusethelatestscientificresearchandpracticalexperienceoffarmanimalwelfaretoinformthedevelopmentoftheRSPCAfarmanimalwelfarepoliciesaswellasdevelopingbestpracticeinthecareandwelfareofthemajorspeciesfarmedintheUKsetoutintheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforfarmanimals.Thedepartmentworkstoencourageimprovementsinfarmanimalwelfareinavarietyofways.TheseincludeworkingwiththefoodandAndrewForsythRSPCAPhotolibraryFreedomFoodfarmingindustriessuchasfarmersandretailersandgovernmentsincludinginEnglandWalesandtheEUtoimprovewelfarethroughvoluntarychangesinpracticesaswellasstrengtheningoflegislation.Thedepartmentalsoworkstoraiseawarenessthroughmediainterviewspresentationsinformationresourcesandreportsofkeywelfareissuesandhoweveryonecanhelptoimprovethewelfareoffarmanimals.JuliaWrathallBScMScPhDChMIACEHeadofdepartmentJohnAvizieniusBAMScDeputyheadofdepartmentMarcCooperBScMScPhDSeniorscientificmanagerAliceClarkBScKateParkesMAMScSeniorscientificofficersAnnaFraserBScScientificofficerwelfareoutcomesassessmentuntil29.11.12SinPhillipsBScScientificinformationofficerAllanPearsonONDFieldoperationsmanagerCharlotteBossBScRogerBriddockNDAEmmaHeathcoteBScSueMcCabePhilMcCarthyLornaSherwoodBScMScuntil14.9.12FarmlivestockofficersLindaAllmeyAdministratorCarlyBaconAdministrativeassistantuntil24.8.12 www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201211ThefarmanimalsdepartmentbelievesthatthemosteffectiveapproachtoensuringthattheRSPCAcanhaveatangiblepositiveimpactonthewelfareoffarmanimalsistodeveloptheSocietyspoliciesandpracticesinthisareausingarobustandwell-consideredevidencebase.Partofthedepartmentsrolefacilitatedbytheuniquecollectiveexperienceknowledgeandexpertiseofitsstaffistogatherassessanalyseandeffectivelytranslateawidevarietyofevidencesourcesintoausableformthatcanbeappliedthrougharangeofactivitiesinordertoachieveimprovementinthewelfareoflivestock.SourcesandevaluationofevidenceThedepartmentgathersinformationfrommanydifferentevidencesources.Particularemphasisisplacedonpeer-reviewedpublishedscientificresearchbutpracticaltrialdatarecommendationsandadvicefromexpertbodiesandindividualsandincreasinglyvalidatedwelfareoutcomeassessmentarealsoconsidered.Individualcasestudiesandpracticaldemonstrationsaswellasinformationfromotherspecialistorganisationscanalsobeuseful.Inadditiontakingaccountofthenatureofthesourceineachcasethevalidityandrobustnessoftheevidenceisevaluatedbyconsideringamongotherthingsthefollowinglindependenceofthesourcelikelihoodofintentionalunintentionalbiaslnumberandvarietyofsourcesprovidingsimilarorsameinformationadvicecumulativeeffectlscaleofthesourcesamountofdataavailablesamplesizelrobustnessofanyanalysisstatisticalotherlopinionofotherswithrelevantexpertiseonthereliabilityvaluerobustnessofthesources.ApplicationanduseofevidenceThedepartmentappliesevidenceinanumberofareasoftheRSPCAsfarmanimalwelfareworkincludingmostnotablyduringdevelopmentoftheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforfarmanimalsandwelfareassessment.InadditiontheRSPCAspoliciesandpositionsonawidevarietyoflivestockwelfareissuessupportforcampaignsexternaladvocacyandlobbyingtechnicalreportsandotherliteraturearealsoinformedbytheevidencebasecollectedandprocessedbyfarmanimalsdepartmentstaff.ThisinformationisalsousedtoevaluatetheimpactonfarmanimalwelfareoftheactivitiesundertakenbytheRSPCAandcanalsoalloweffectiveprioritisationofthoseactivitiesbyjudgingthemagainsttheRSPCAsevaluationprioritisationcriteriae.g.scaleofsufferingseverityofsufferingdurationfrequencyofsufferinglikelihooddegreeofimpact.Issuessuchaseconomicslogisticsthedegreeofchangeneededeffectiveknowledgetransfertrainingissuesandattitudescultureallrepresentsignificantchallengestoachievingeffectiveimplementationofbestknowledgeandevidenceoftennecessitatingastep-wiseconsideredandpatientapproachtoelicitingprogress.LackofevidencemakingdecisionsDespitesignificantandimportantadvancesinknowledgeandunderstandingoffarmanimalwelfareoverthepastfewyearssomekeyareascontinuetopresentmajorchallengesduetothelackofrobustevidenceastothenatureseverityorscaleoftheanimalwelfareproblem.Forexamplecomparativelylittleevidenceexistsintheareasofmentalpsychologicalwelfareandemotionalneedsandstatesoffarmanimalsthelevelandimpactonwelfareofcertainphysiologicalstatese.g.chronichungerincertainspeciesclassesoflivestockorthevariabilityintheneedsofindividualanimalswithinspeciesclassesofanimals.IntheabsenceofrobustevidencetheRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentbasesitsdecisionsandrecommendationsonanumberoffactorsincludingthefollowinglextrapolationfromevidenceexperienceknowledgeofsimilarsituationsandorspecieslreferencetocomparisonwithcurrentbestpracticeluseofownprimaryresearchexperiencelapplicationofreasonablejustifiableanthropomorphisme.g.qualitativebehaviouralassessment-typeapproachlapplicationofcommonsenselconsiderationofethicalissueslapplicationofthePrecautionaryPrincipleinformedprudence.Astrongevidencebaseforfarmanimalwelfare www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimals12Sciencegroupreviewof2012FarmlivestockofcersDuringmostof2012thefarmlivestockofficersteamconsistedofsevenmembersthelargestnumbertodate.Thiswasmadepossiblethroughagrantobtainedduring2011fromthePersulaFoundationenablingtheteamtomonitoragreaternumberofFreedomFoodmembersduringthisyearthanhasbeenpreviouslypossible.ThishadaparticularimpactonthemonitoringoftheaquaculturesectorandtheEastAngliaareawhichhasahighFreedomFoodmembershiplevel.TheteamcontinuestodeliverWelfareOutcomeAssessmentWOAonlayinghenanddairymemberunitsafterreceivingtrainingondairyWOAinmid2012.SeveralmembersoftheteamhavealsobeeninvolvedinthedevelopmentofpigWOAprotocolseeAssureWelsection.TheteamattendedapighealthandwelfaretrainingcourseprovidedbyXLVetsFarmSkillsalongwithattendingseveralothertradeshowsandmeetingstokeepuptodatewithbestpracticeandadvancesinfarmanimalwelfare.ThiscontinuingprofessionaldevelopmenthelpstoensurethattheFLOsremainhighlyeffectiveandskilleddeliverersofhands-onanimalwelfareinthefield.PhilipToscanox2RSPCAPhotolibraryTheRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentdevelopstheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforfarmanimals.ThesedetaileddocumentsaimtorepresentbestpracticeinthecareandwelfareoffarmanimalsandgoaboveandbeyondstandardproductionsystemsandlegislationintheUKinanumberofkeyareas.Thestandardscovereveryaspectofananimalslifeincludingfoodandwaterprovisiontheenvironmenttransportationandhumaneslaughterkilling.Atpresentthereare10setsofstandardscoveringthemajorspeciesfarmedintheUK.Thestandardsarecontinuallybeingreviewedandrevisedbythedepartmentinlightofscientificevidenceandpracticalexperienceandthroughconsultationwithkeystakeholders.Developmentofeachsetofstandardsisfacilitatedthroughconsultationwithaspecies-specifictechnicalworkinggroupwhichconsistsofproducersusuallyFreedomFoodmembersspecialistveterinariansanimalwelfarescientistsFreedomFoodschemerepresentativesandRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentscientificandfieldstaff.ThroughtheseDevelopingRSPCAwelfarestandardsgroupsthedepartmentgathersanddiscussesinformationtoinformthedevelopmentofthestandards.Bycontinuallyreviewingthestandardswecanensurethattheyremainattheforefrontofwhatisachievableintermsofanimalwelfarehusbandryandcommercialviability.ThestandardsareprimarilyimplementedthroughtheRSPCAsownfarmassuranceandfoodlabellingschemeFreedomFood.FarmshaulierstransportersandabattoirsapprovedbytheFreedomFoodschememustimplementalltherelevantRSPCAwelfarestandardsandareassessedannuallybyFreedomFoodassessorstocheckcompliancewiththestandards.InadditionRSPCAFarmLivestockOfficersFLOsconductriskedbasedmonitoringvisitsoftencompletelyunannouncedonaproportionofFreedomFoodmemberseachyearasanextracheckofcompliancewiththestandardsseefarmlivestockofficerssection.In2012revisededitionsoftheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforpigsturkeysandfarmedAtlanticsalmonwerepublished.KeychangesintheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforpigsincludedprohibitingtaildockingforfree-rangepigsandtheinclusionofminimumspacerequirementsforoutdoorpigproduction.WithintheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforturkeysitbecamearequirementtoprovidenaturallightinallhousesandforfarmstoundertakeindependentwelfareauditsforeachflock.In2012theRSPCAwelfarestandardsforfarmedAtlanticsalmonintroducedabandedfreshwaterstockingdensitybasedontheliveweightofthefish.Thisnewapproachtofreshwaterstockingdensitiesmakesiteasiertomeasuretheoperationalindicatorswhichimpingeuponfishwelfareduringthesejuvenilefishlifecyclestages.GreenFoodProjectIntheNaturalEnvironmentWhitePaperforEnglandpublishedinJune2011itwasstatedthatgovernmentindustryandenvironmentalpartnerswouldworktogethertoexplorehowtoimprovetheenvironmentwhilstatthesametimeincreasingfoodproductiontomeetthedemandsofaneverexpandingglobalpopulation.TheGreenFoodProjectisthebodytaskedtotryandachievethesegoals.Astheanimalwelfarerepresentativeonthedairysub-grouptheRSPCAsoughttoensurefocusontheanimalwelfareissueswhichmightaffecttheanimalsinvolvedundersuchanambitiousproject.Anumberofissueswereconsideredsuchastheindicatorswhichdefinetherelationshipbetweenoutputperhectareandtechnicalefficiency.Oneofthethingsthatthegrouprecognisedwasthatsomeenvironmentalimpactscanbereducedbyoptimisingefficiencyresourceuseandreducingwastewhilstatthesametimeimprovingthehealthandwelfareofthecattle.Forexamplebyreducingmortalityandendemicdiseaseintheherdinputssuchasfeedenergywaterlanduseperunitofmilkproductionwouldbereduced.Byteasingoutsomeofthetensionsandchallengesinvolveditwaspossibletolookathowanimalwelfaremightbeaffectedasaresultandadvicewasgiveninordertoensurethattheprogressbeingmadeinimprovingthewelfareofthedairycowatpresentisnotadverselyaffectedbytheambitioussustainabilitygoalsoftheprojectinthefuture.WehavepreviouslycontributedtosimilarinitiativesinWales. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201213ThefiveyearAssureWelprojectacollaborativeprogrammebetweentheRSPCAtheSoilAssociationandtheUniversityofBristolcontinuedintoitsthirdyear.TheprojecthasaprimaryaimofimplementingwelfareassessmentsintofarmassuranceschemeswiththeRSPCAFreedomFoodandtheSoilAssociationFarmAssuranceSchemesleadingtheway.WelfareassessmentsforlayinghenshavebeendevelopedandnowforoverayearallFreedomFoodapprovedlayinghenfarmshavebeenreceivingawelfareassessmentbybothFreedomFoodassessorsandRSPCAfarmlivestockofficers.Theresultsarebeingusedtoprovideusefulfeedbackandbenchmarkingtoproducerstohelpidentifyanyproblemareasanddrivewelfareimprovement.Foreachwelfaremeasurethereisatargetforproducerstoaimforaswellasacautionleveltohighlightwhereactionneedstobetaken.Settingthesethresholdlevelshelpsproducersbetterunderstandwheretheyshouldbeandalsosupportsassessorsdecision-makingoncompliance.TheAssureWelprojecthasalsoledtothepublicationofanindustry-wideadviceguidetohelptackleoneofthemostwidespreadwelfareissuesfacingthelayinghenindustryfeatherloss.Thisistypicallycausedbyinjuriousfeatherpeckingandsometimesaggression.TheadvicedocumentwasdevelopedwithinputfromtheUniversityofBristolFeatherWelprojectandBritishEggIndustryCouncil.AssureWeladvancesassessmentofwelfareonfarmsFordairycattlewelfaremeasuresincludinglamenessbodyconditionandlyingcomforthavebeendevelopedandintroducedintoallFreedomFoodfarmassessments.AssureWelhasbeenworkingwithRedTractorDairywhichassures95percentofthemilkproducedinGreatBritaintohelpintroducethesemeasuresintotheirscheme.RedTractorDairyiscurrentlyconsideringtheinclusionofsomeofthewelfaremeasuresintotheirdairyassessmentssubjecttofinalconsultation.Thisindustry-wideapproachwillhelpgenerateresultsthatcouldbeusedtomeasureandimprovewelfareacrossthedairyindustry.AssureWelisalsoworkingwithotherstakeholdersincludingmajorretailerstoachieveharmonisationofwelfaremeasuresandmethodologiesacrossthedairyindustry.DevelopmentofwelfaremeasuresforpigshasbegunandtheirintroductionintoFreedomFoodschemeassessmentsisplannedfor2013.AssureWelisbeginningtopromotetheuseoftheAssureWelmeasuresmorebroadlyandwillbeapproachingorganisationsintheUKandinternationallytodiscusswelfareassessmentsandtheirimplementationinmoredetail.FromproducergroupsintheUKtotheEuropeanFoodSafetyAuthorityandstandardsdevelopersintheUSAinterestisgrowinginourpracticalandfield-testedapproachtoanimalwelfareassessment.Dairy2020TheRSPCAwasinvitedtoparticipateasthesoleanimalwelfarerepresentativeintheDairy2020initiativebytheForumfortheFuturealeadingglobalsustainabledevelopmentnon-profitorganisationtoconsiderhowasustainabledairyindustryintheUKwouldlookinthefutureandwhatwouldbethekeydriverstocontributetofuturesustainability.TherewasalsoconsiderationofhowtofeedintoothermajorindustryinitiativessuchastheDairyRoadmap.Someofthekeyguidingprinciplesidentifiedbytheinitiativeincludedimprovinganimalwelfareinparticularcowcomfortwhenanimalsarehousedandalsoincentivisingoutcome-basedsystemswhicharefocussedondeliveringapositiveimpactonanimalwelfare.Minimisingenvironmentalimpactandstewardingnaturethroughimprovingbiodiversitysoilfertilityandnutrientavailabilitywerealsohighlightedasimportantissues. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimals14Sciencegroupreviewof2012PigHealthandWelfareCouncilnewsub-groupThisyearsawthere-launchofthePigHealthandWelfareCouncilasamoreindependentandpartnership-ledgroupwiththeaimofdrivingforwardthedeliveryandstrategicaimsofthepigindustryassetoutin2020PigHealthandWelfareStrategy.TheRSPCAisamemberoftheCouncilalongwithrepresentativesfromthepigindustryandassociatedsectorsveterinaryprofessionandgovernmentalagencies.Aswellasconveningsub-groupsonhealthrelatedtopicssuchassurveillanceagreementwasreachedtosetupawelfaresub-grouptobefacilitatedbytheRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartment.Thesub-groupaimstoachieveconsensusontheimportantpigwelfareissuestobeinvestigatedonhowtoprogresstheseandontheultimateaimsineachcase.Keyissuestobeaddressedasidentifiedwithinthe2020PigStrategyincludetailbitingdockingandconfinementduringfarrowingalthoughotherissueswillalsobeexaminede.g.teethclipping.Thesub-groupwillprovidetheCouncilwithanalysiscommentaryandrecommendationsasappropriate.AndrewForsythx2RSPCAPhotolibraryAthree-yearresearchprojectcommissionedbytheRSPCAandfundedbyTheTubneyCharitableTrusttohelpevaluateandidentifypracticalwaysofprovidingfarmedduckswithasuitableopensourceofwaterconcludedin2011.During2012theRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentconsultedwiththeduckindustryincludingproducersvetsresearchersandotherpoultryexpertstodiscusstheresultsoftheresearchandconsiderhowbesttostrengthentheRSPCAwelfarestandardsfordomesticcommonducksinthisarea.Newstandardsconcerningtheprovisionofopenwaterhavenowbeendevelopedwhichbuildonthecurrentrequirements.ThesenewstandardstakeintoaccountnotonlytheRSPCA-commissionedresearchconductedbyCambridgeUniversitybutalsoresearchpublishedoverthelastfewyearsbyotheracademicinstitutions.Thenewstandardswillbepublishedin2013ensuringduckshaveaccesstobathingwaterthatenablesthemtoperformtheirimportantwaterrelatedbehavioursfreely.ThisworkhasalsobeenusedtoinformNewopenwaterstandardsforducksChickenwelfareassessmentcentreAtpresentonlyslowergrowingbreedsofmeatchickenscanbeusedbyproducerswhoaremembersoftheRSPCAsFarmAssuranceschemeFreedomFood.Thisisbecausefastgrowthratescansignificantlycontributetothedevelopmentofseverewelfareproblemsinchickenssuchaschroniclegdisordersandheartproblems.ConsequentlytheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforchickenswhichmustbeimplementedbyFreedomFoodmembersstatethattheaveragedailygeneticgrowthrateofabirdmustnotexceed45g.Howevertherearelimitationstotheeffectivenessofthisstandardasamechanismforsafeguardingchickenwelfare.Itisthebroilerbreedingcompaniesthatdetermineandprovidethedataonthegeneticgrowthratepotentialoftheirchickensandtheydonotapplyastandardisedprocesstoestablishthisfigure.Inadditionasthegeneticgrowthratepotentialofabreedisoftenarrivedatusingdatafromanumberofdifferentsourcesincludingfieldtrialsbyproducersitdoesnotnecessarilyreflectthetruegeneticgrowthpotentialofabreed.Theseissuesmakeitdifficulttoascertainabreedstruegeneticgrowthrate.Furthergrowthrateonlyoffersanindirectmeasureofwelfareandassuchdoesnotofferanyguaranteeseitherwayaboutabreedsactuallevelofwelfare.AlthoughtheseissueshavenothinderedsignificantprogressinthisareatodatetheRSPCAhasforalongtimerecognisedthechallengesassociatedwiththisapproachinensuringonlybreedswithanacceptablelevelofwelfareareusedwithinthescheme.Since2008theRSPCAhasbeenworkingondevelopinganewapproachandhasnowfullydevelopedanRSPCA-approvedprotocoltoassessthewelfareofdifferentbreedswhichistobeappliedatanRSPCAapprovedWelfareAssessmentCentre.HeremeatanddrivetheRSPCAsLikeaDucktoWatercampaignlaunchedinSeptember2012tohelpimprovetherearingconditionsoffarmedducks.Bylawduckscanbeprovidedwithnothingmorethanmetalball-bearingtypewaterdrinkerssimilartothosegiventopetrabbitsandhamsters.Thecampaignaimstoraiseawarenessaboutthisissueandspecificallyencourageretailerstoensuretheduckmeattheysellcomesfromfarmswheretheduckswereprovidedwithfacilitiesallowingthemfullbodyaccesstowater.Formoreinformationaboutthecampaignseewww.rspca.orgducktowater www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfarmanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201215ExamplesofmembershipofcommitteesandworkinggroupslScotlandsRuralCollegegamebirdhousingprojectsteeringgroupfundedbyDefra.lRedTractorDairyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeTAC.lCattleHealthandWelfareGroupCHAWG.lSheepHealthandWelfareGroupSHAWG.lPigHealthandWelfareCouncilPHWC.lGeneticsAdvisoryForumGAF.lSealsAquacultureandSalmonworkinggroup.lPoultryWelfareForum.lUSHumaneFarmAnimalCareScientificStandardsCommittee.lFarmAnimalWelfareForum.DepartmentforEnvironmentFoodandRuralAffairsDefralBeaktrimmingactionandsteeringgroups.lExpertAdvisoryGroupfortheDefrafundedEUBroilerDirectiveImplementationReviewProject.lCoreStakeholderGroupforthePostImplementationReviewoftheEUBroilerDirective.WelshGovernmentlAnimalHealthandWelfareStrategyImplementationGroup.UniversitiesresearchinstitutesresearchprojectslUniversityofBristollayinghenfitnesstotravelprojectsteeringgroupfundedbyDefra.lBPEXwelfareoutcomesRealWelfareprojectsteeringgroup.lAssureWelBroilerOutcomesProjectGroup.Examplesofkeymeetingseventsin2012lMeetingswiththeBritishEggIndustryCounciltodiscusscompliancewiththechangeinlawbanningbarrenbatterycagesinEurope.lMeetingsandvisitstoturkeyfarmstoinvestigateindoorturkeyproductionstandards.lMeetingwithpethenhousingcompanytodiscussrequirementsforlayinghens.lParticipatedintheBritishFreeRangeEggProducersAssociationconferenceanddiscussedissueswithproducersatastandforFreedomFood.lWithRSPCAinspectoratemeetingwiththeFarmCrisisNetworkFCNtodevelopanoperationalagreementtoinformandsupplyRSPCAinspectorateandfarmanimalsdepartmentfieldstaffwithinformationtouseincertainon-farmcrisissituations.lProvideexpertadviceanalysiswhilstaccompanyingtheFarmAnimalWelfareCommitteeFAWCtoScotlandtolookatfishfarmingandfishslaughter.lParticipatedinmeetingswithRSPCAinspectoratewithAHVLAofficesandKentpolicetodiscussissuesrelatingtolivetransportoverseasofanimalsfromKentports.lMeetingwithHolsteinUKtodiscussthelatestdevelopmentsindairycowgenetics.EngagingwithdecisionmakerslInspectedthefacilitiestoaccommodatefarmanimalsinvolvedinthelivetransportoverseasfromRamsgateDoverandNewhavenports.lVisitedsitesanddiscussedadvisedontheissuesassociatedwiththebuildingofamajornewfreshwatersalmonhatcheryinScotlandintendedtoconformtoRSPCAwelfarestandards.lParticipatedinFoodandEnvironmentResearchAgencyFERAworkshoponpigtransportjourneytimes.lParticipatedinBritishPigExecutiveBPEXResearchandDevelopmentfuturestrategyworkshop.lParticipatedinandpresentedattheRedTractorTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteePigsonwelfareoutcomesassessmentandtheAssureWelproject.lParticipatedinindustryorganisedPigAssuranceSummittodiscusskeyissuesregardingassurance.lInterviewwithPoultryWorldregardingthelaunchoftheRSPCAWelfarePledgeforfarmanimals.lMeetingwithBBCfoodandfarmingTVseriesproducertodiscusskeyfarmingissuesconcerningfarmanimalwelfareandencouragecoverage.lVisitedUKduckproductioncompanytodiscussandadviseonwelfareissuesrelatingtotheprovisionofopenwater.lVisitedequipmentmanufacturertoexaminediscussandprovideviewonnovelrearingsystemforbroilers.lVisitedanddiscussednewhatcherysystemformeatchickensandbarnsystemforlayinghensintheNetherlands.Examplesofresponsestoconsultationsin2012lRedTractorFarmAssurancePigStandards.lFAWCconsultationontheevidencebaseforthewelfareoffarmlivestock.lKFCindependentstudyregardingstakeholderperceptionsofthecompany.lInterviewwithAgraCEASregardingimplementationofnewfarmanimalslaughterregulations.lConsultationonrevisedslaughterandkillingregulationsEnglandWales.Examplesofpresentationsduring2012lHarperAdamsUniversityCollegepresentationtofinalyeardegreestudentsonfarmanimalwelfare.lIowaStateUniversityontheworkoftheRSPCAfarmanimalsdepartmentandtheAssureWelproject.lFAWContheRSPCAwelfarestandardsforfarmedAtlanticsalmon.lNorfolkPigDiscussiongroupontailbitingandtaildocking.lPigproducergroupmeetingontheworkofthefarmanimalsdepartmentRSPCAwelfarestandardsforpigsandFreedomFood.lFAWConhowtheFarmAnimalsDepartmentgathersanalysesandappliestheevidencebaseforfarmanimalwelfare.Paperspublishedin2012lMainD.C.J.MullanS.AtkinsonC.BondA.CooperM.FraserA.andBrowneW.J.2012.Welfareoutcomesassessmentinlayinghenfarmassuranceschemes.AnimalWelfare21389-396.chickensarerearedandassessedforanumberofwelfareparametersincludingleghealthhockburnfootpadburnandmortality.ThisprovidesindependentmeaningfulinformationregardingthewelfareofabreedwhichisusedtoinformadecisionastowhetherabreedshouldbeacceptedforuseundertheRSPCAstandards.Wethereforehavedirectandspecificinformationrelatingtothewelfareofabreedandavoidhavingtoassumethelevelofwelfarebasedonitsgrowthrate.AWelfareAssessmentCentrewasidentifiedandthenewapproachsuccessfullytrialledduring2012.TheRSPCAWelfareStandardsforChickenswillbeamendedin2013toreflectthisnewapproach. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimals16Sciencegroupreviewof2012ResearchanimalsAnimalsareusedformanydifferentpurposesinresearchandtestingandeachareaofuseraisesspecificethicalwelfareandscientificissues.TheRSPCAadoptsaconstructivepracticalapproachjudgingeveryissueindividuallycriticallyquestioningthenecessityandjustificationforanimaluseandarguingtheneedtoreducetheconflictbetweentheinterestsofanimalsandofscience.Ourprimaryaimisthereplacementofanimalexperimentswithhumanealternativesworldwide.Untilthiscanbeachievedweworktohelpensurethattheminimumnumbersofanimalsareusedandthattheyexperiencetheminimumsufferingandhavethebestpossiblequalityoflife.TheSocietyliaiseswiththoseinvolvedinanimaluseingovernmentindustryandacademiatopromoteinitiativesthatldevelopeffectiveprocessesofethicalreviewlleadtofullerimplementationofthe3Rs.MaggyJenningsOBEBScPhDHeadofdepartmentPennyHawkinsBScPhDDeputyheadBarryPhillipsBScPhDuntil9.7.12BarneyReedBScMScNikkiOsborneBScPhDElliotLilleyBScPhDfrom9.1.12SeniorscientificofficersRitaMalcolmCathrynGrimbleuntil14.9.12AdministrativestaffThe3Rsarereplacementofanimalswithhumanealternativesreductionofanimaluseandrefinementofhusbandryandprocedurestoreducesufferingandimprovewelfarethroughouttheanimalslives.AndrewForsythx3RSPCAphotolibrary www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201217FOOTNOTESANDREFERENCES1EuropeanDirectiveontheProtectionofAnimalsusedforScientificPurposes-201063EU.Brussels.Seehttpec.europa.euenvironmentchemicalslab_animalslegislation_en.htm2ConsultationonoptionsfortranspositionofEuropeanDirective201063EUontheprotectionofanimalsusedforscientificpurposes-SummaryreportandGovernmentresponseMay2012httpwww.homeoffice.gov.ukpublicationsabout-usconsultationstransposition-protection-animalssummary-response-transpositionviewBinary3WhichreplacestheAnimalProceduresCommittee.4MinisterialanswertoParliamentaryQuestion-animalexperimentsDec2011httpwww.theyworkforyou.comwransid2011-12-19a.86188.hsspeaker3A11641g86188.r0NewanimalexperimentslawforUK2012provedtobeasignificantyearinshapingthefutureregulatorylandscapeforanimalresearchandtestingintheUK.SincetheEuropeanDirectiveontheProtectionofAnimalsusedforScientificPurposes1wasagreedbackinNovember2010the27memberstatesoftheEuropeanUnionhaveeachhadtoundertakeworktoensurethattheyhavemadethenecessaryprovisionsfortransposingtherequirementsoftheDirectiveintotheirownnationallaws.ThishadtobecompletedbeforethenewregulationswentliveonJanuary1st2013.OnthefaceofittheUKappearedtohavelesstodothanmanyothersinordertogetready.HoweverwithsomepeoplepushingsimplyforastraighttranspositionoftheDirectiveintoUKlawtherewasarealdangerthatwecouldseeUKcontrolsandstandardsweakened.AsaresulttheRSPCAalongwitharangeofotherorganisationsandindividualsbothwithinandoutsideofthescientificcommunitymadenumerousrepresentationstothegovernmenttoemphasisetheimportanceofatleastmaintainingtheexistingstandardsinnationallegislation.Wearguedthatifstandardswereweakenedthenanimalwelfarewouldsufferandconsequentlysowouldscienceandpublicconfidenceinthelevelofcontrol.Fortunatelythegovernmentappearedtolisten.InMaytheHomeOfficepublishedtheresults2ofthepublicconsultationithadrunduring2011.ThisrevealedoverwhelmingsupportfortheUKtomaintainitscurrentstandards.WewelcomedtheHomeOfficesformalresponsethatforthemostparttheyweremindedtoutilisethefreedompermittedbyArticle2oftheDirectivetomaintainexistingUKprovisionsinareaswheretheywerehigherthantheminimumsetoutintheDirective.ThroughouttheyeartheRSPCAhasbeeninvolvedinaseriesofstakeholdermeetingswiththeHomeOfficetodiscussvariousaspectsofthetranspositionprocessandhasalsorespondedtofurtherconsultationsrelatingtoanewdraftcodeofpracticeoncareandaccommodationmethodsforthehumanekillingofanimalspotentialconflictsofinterestofNamedPersonsandnewproposalsforarevisedformatforthePersonalLicence.WewerealsoinvitedtopresentourviewsandconcernsinanumberofotherforaincludinginapresentationataneventhostedbytheParliamentaryScienceandTechnologyCommittee.InDecemberthewordingoftheamendedlawwasgiventhenodbyParliament.MostofourconcernswiththecontentoftherevisedlegislationhadbeenaddressedbutitsimpactwilllargelydependuponhowtheHomeOfficeandotherschoosetointerpretandimplementitsprovisionsandthereremainsomeoutstandingissuesofconcern.ThismeansthatthecontentandstatusoftheaccompanyingguidancedocumentcurrentlybeingproducedbytheHomeOfficeforthoseitregulatesisofcriticalimportance.ItisanticipatedthattheethicalreviewprocessesERPscurrentlyinplaceatallUKresearchestablishmentswilllargelycontinuewithanunchangedroleandfunctionsalbeitunderthenewnameofAnimalWelfareandEthicalReviewBodiesseelaterarticleonEthicalReview.HoweverthereremainquestionsrelatingtohowthenewnationalbodytheAnimalsinScienceCommittee3-willactuallyoperateinpracticeincludingtheextenttowhichitwillbetrulyindependentfromtheHomeOfficedepartmentitisbeingsetuptoadvise.Thereisalsoaneedforfurtherdiscussionandclearguidanceforthoseinvolvedintheretrospectiveassessmentofprojectsandthereportingofactualseverityexperiencebyanimalsandgreaterclarityrequiredregardingthenewroleforapersontoensurethatpeopleusinganimalsaretrainedandcompetent.AsafinalnoteitisofcontinuingandexceptionalimportancethattheHomeOfficeisadequatelyresourcedtofulfillitsnumerousrolesofinspectionreviewinglicenceapplicationsandamendmentsliaisingwithlicenseesandengagingwithinitiativestopromotethe3Rs.DespitetherunningcostsoftheHomeOfficeAnimalsinScienceRegulationUnitgenerallybeingcoveredbythefeespaidbylicenceholders4inrecentyearswehaveseensignificantreductionsinboththenumberofHomeOfficeinspectorsandtheoverallnumberofvisitstheymaketoresearchestablishments.ThisisofseriousconcernandtheRSPCAhascontinuedtoarguetheneedforastrongandadequatelyresourcedHomeOfficeinspectorate. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimals18Sciencegroupreviewof2012EndingseveresufferingThelevelofpainordistressexperiencedbyanimalsusedinexperimentsdependsonthenatureoftheresearchandisclassifiedasmildmoderateorsevereunderUKlaw.AnylevelofsufferingisaconcernfortheRSPCAbutendingseveresufferingisatoppriority.Theannualgovernmentstatisticsontheuseofanimalsinresearchandtestinglistthenumberofprojectsthathavebeenlicensedineachoftheseverityclassificationseachyearbutthisisaprospectiveestimateofsufferingthatdoesnotindicatehowmuchsufferinganimalsactuallyexperiencedinpractice.HoweverasaresultoftheUKtransposingEuropeanDirective201063therewillbeanewrequirementforscientiststoassessandreporttheactualseverityexperiencedbyeachanimal.Thismeansthatofficialstatisticsontheactuallevelsofpainsufferinganddistressexperiencedbyanimalsinresearchwillbeavailablefrom20151.Thiswillallowustomonitorthenumbersineachcategoryincludingsevere.TheRSPCAbelievesthatendingseveresufferingisalegitimatedesirableandachievablegoalandthattherevisedUKlegislationcanprovideausefuldriverinkeepingwiththespiritoftheEuropeanDirectivewhichrequirespainsufferingdistressandlastingharmtobeminimised.Howeverthelegislationmustbeaccompaniedbyclearguidanceoneffectivemonitoringoflaboratoryanimalsincludingproperassessmentameliorationandclassificationofanysufferingtheyexperience.RegardlessofthechangestotheUKlawthereisanongoingandwidely-recognisedneedforinformationandimmediateactiononthisissueandwehavesetupanumberofinitiativestodevelopandpromotewaysofavoidingorreducingseveresuffering.Weaimtoidentifylthekindsofproceduresthatcancauseseveresufferinglthefactorsthatcombinetomakethelevelofsufferingseveresuchaspainanxietyorlonglastingprocedureslthepurposeofsevereproceduresforexamplevaccinetestingorstudiesofpainfulorstressingdisorderslanyperceivedobstaclestoreducingsufferingoravoidingtheseproceduresandmostimportantlylwhatcanbedonetoovercometheseobstacles.TheRSPCAhasbeenworkingcloselywiththescientificcommunitytoresearchthisinformationandtodevelopstrategiesandresourcestohelpreducesuffering.Theseincludethedevelopmentoftrainingresourcesforresearchersanimaltechnologistsandcarestafftohelpensurethatsufferingisdetectedrecordedandrelievedmoreeffectively.TheRSPCAisalsoencouraginginformationonrefinementapproachesandmethodologiesthatcouldavoidorreduceseveresufferingtobeincludedinscientificpublications.Thisisacontinuationofongoingworkwhichincludesinfluencingscientificjournaleditorialpoliciesliaisonwithlearnedsocietiesandotherprofessionalbodiesaswellaspromotingtheprincipledirectlywithresearchersatmeetingsandresearchestablishments.TheRSPCAalsoestablishedanexpertworkinggrouptodeveloprefinementsforsevereproceduresinordertoreducesufferingandimprovewelfare.Thegroupcompletedtwopapersin2012whichfocusedonanimalstudiesofepilepsyandmultiplesclerosisthesehavebeensubmittedforpublicationinpeer-reviewedjournalswhichwillenablemoreeffectivedissemination.Furtherworkinggroupswillbesetupin2013toaddressothersevereproceduresandproduceguidanceonrefiningandavoidingthese.Robustlocalethicalreviewatresearchandtestingfacilitiescanalsoplayavitalroleinreducingseveresuffering.TheRSPCAisencouragingAnimalWelfareandEthicalReviewBodiesAWERBsknownasLocalEthicalReviewProcessesERPsuntil31December2012tofocusonendingsevereproceduresattheirestablishmentsincludingbyactivelyvisitingestablishmentsandpresentingonthesubject.Weinitiatedanoutreachprojectandwereinvitedtovisitandspeakatarangeofestablishmentsthroughout2012.Thishasgeneratedagreatdealofdiscussionandsupportfortheprincipleofendingseveresufferingwhichwillbefurtherfacilitatedin2013byproducingmaterialsforAnimalWelfareandEthicalReviewBodiessettingouthowtheycouldapproachrefiningandavoidingproceduresthatcancauseseveresuffering.REFERENCE1Basedondatatobecollectedduring2014.Provisionofadviceonethicsanimalwelfarethe3RsandlegislationinternationallyisanincreasinglyimportantrolefortheRSPCAresearchanimalsdepartmentworkingcloselywiththeRSPCAsinternationalteam.Issuesrelatingtotheuseofanimalsinresearchandtestingneedtobeconsideredinaglobalcontext.Industriesthatuseanimalswhetherpharmaceuticalorchemicalaremultinationalandtheregulatorytestingrequirementstheyworktoareinternational.Scientistsinacademiaalsocommonlycollaborateonaninternationalbasis.Howeverthelegislativecontrolsonanimalexperimentsindifferentcountriesandparticularlytheprioritygiventoanimalwelfareandethicalreviewvariessignificantly.Thisisaseriousconcern.Keyactivitiesandeventsduring2012lInMarchtheRSPCAorganisedanddeliveredtrainingworkshopsinTaiwanforrepresentativesfromresearchestablishmentsusinganimals.TheeventswereorganisedinassociationwiththeChinese-TaipeiSocietyofLaboratoryAnimalSciencesandcoveredtopicsrelatingtoanimalwelfareandhowthe3Rscanbeeffectivelyimplementedinpractice.Theworkshopswerewellattendedandenthusiasticallyreceivedbythedelegates.lInSeptembertheRSPCAwasinvitedtogiveaplenarypresentationandrunaworkshopsessiononreducinglaboratoryanimalsufferingandimprovingwelfareattheannualconferenceoftheChineseAssociationforLaboratoryAnimalSciences.Deliveringinternationaltrainingistockphoto.comGlobalPdra_schwartz www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201219RodentwelfareTheRSPCAandtheUniversitiesFederationforAnimalWelfareUFAWjointlyholdanannualrodentwelfaremeeting1todiscusscurrent3Rsresearchanddisseminateinformationonthepracticalimplementationofthe3Rswithrespecttorodentuse.Over120delegatesattendedthe2012meetingincludinganimaltechnologistsresearchersandveterinariansfromawiderangeofscientificestablishmentswithinindustryandacademia.wayofassessingsubtlesignsofsufferingsothatstudiescanbeendedearlierandcanalsoprovidemoremeaningfuloutcomemeasureswhenpotentialnewanalgesicsarebeingevaluated.ThedayendedwithafocusonreducingsufferinginsevereprocedureswithanoutlineoftheRSPCAinitiativetoreduceseveresufferingandpracticalexamplesofrefinementsforSOD-1miceageneticallyalteredstrainusedtostudyneurodegenerativedisease.ThereportfromthemeetingwillbepublishedinthejournalAnimalTechnologyandWelfareduring2013.FOOTNOTE1FormoreinformationabouttheRSPCAUFAWRodentWelfareGroupandforfreetodownloadreportsfrompastmeetingsseewww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsimplementing3rsrodentwelfaregroupThemeetingaddressedarangeoftopicswithamainfocusonrefinementandreduction.AguestspeakerfromauniversityinSantiagogavedelegatesanoverviewoftheregulatoryframeworkforanimaluseinChileexplaininghowresearchersandanimaltechnologistsareworkingtowardsbetterstandardsofanimalwelfareregulationandethicalreview.Otherpresentationsincludedreducingstressduringbloodsamplinginratsthewelfareimpactofdifferentidentificationmethodssuchasmicrochipsandearnotchinginmiceandimplementingbothrefinementandreductioninmonoclonalantibodygenerationusingrodents.Anotherspeakerexplainedhowlong-termstudiesandresearchintodiseasesofageingsuchasosteoporosiscanoftenextendtothefulllifespanofamouse.Agedmicehavespecialneedsandanappropriatelytailoredapproachtoassessingtheirhealthandwelfareisessentialtoensureagoodstandardofcare.Thereiscurrentlymuchdiscussionofthevalidityofsomeareasofanimaluseandthiswasalsoaddressedatthemeeting.Forexamplemiceareroutinelyusede.g.insafetytestsatsixtoeightweeksoldbuttheresultingdatamaybedifferentResourcesWealsoprovideanddisseminatekeyresourcesonanimalwelfarethe3Rsandethicalreview.InonesuchinitiativetheRSPCAisworkingwiththeUKsNC3Rs2andtheChineseAssociationforLaboratoryAnimalSciencestodevelopaChineselanguageversionoftheProcedureswithCarewebsite3whichwillprovidepracticalexamplesforrefiningexperimentaltechniquesinordertoreduceanimalsufferingandimprovewelfare.FOOTNOTESANDREFERENCES1Formoreinformationaboutthisaspectofourworkseewww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalswhatwedoworkinginternationally2TheNationalCentrefortheReplacementRefinementandReductionofAnimalsinResearchUKwww.nc3rs.org.uk3www.procedureswithcare.org.ukfromthatobtainedwhentheanimalsarefullymatureatthreemonthswhichcouldleadtopotentiallymisleadingresults.Themeetingdiscussedhowtakingaccountofanimalbiologyandbehaviourcanleadtobenefitsforbothanimalwelfareandscience.Onespeakerexplainedhownewapproachestorodentstudiesofneuropathicpaininvolveassessingpainusingbehaviouralindicatorsofanxietyandotherbehavioursthatareimportanttotheanimalssuchasburrowing.ThisisabetterTheconferencewhichwasheldinYangzhouattractedhundredsofdelegatesfromacrossChina.lInNovembertheRSPCAsinternationalandresearchanimalsdepartmentsinconjunctionwiththeUniversityofBelgradeorganisedanddeliveredatwo-dayworkshoponlaboratoryanimalwelfareethicsandlegislation.Over100peopleattendedincludingthoseusingandcaringforlaboratoryanimalsandmembersofethicscommitteesacrossSerbiaCroatiaandMacedonia.RSPCAstaffandinvitedexpertspresentedkeyinformationontheaspectsofthenewEuropeanDirectiveanddemonstratedanddiscussedhowthevariousrequirementsofthislegislationmightbestbemetinpractice. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimals20Sciencegroupreviewof2012GeneticallyalteredanimalsreductionandrenementinvolvedinbreedingandusedinresearchaswellasraisingstandardsofhousinghusbandryandcarethroughtheuseofGApassports.lInOctoberanewtrainingeventbringingtogetherscientistsandsenioranimaltechnicianswashostedbyTheWellcomeTrust.TheonedaymeetingConditionalTransgenicTechnologiesPrinciplesBestPracticehighlighted3RsopportunitiesduringthecreationofGAanimalsandpromotedtheuseofconditionaltechnologiestoreducetheimpactthatgeneticalterationhasoneachandeveryindividualanimal.lInDecemberweplannedandco-chairedasessiononGAanimalsaspartofanannualmeetingheldattheHomeOfficeorganisedbytheSocietyofBiologyandtheAnimalsinScienceRegulationUnit.Formoreinformationontheaboveinitiativesseewww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsimplementing3rsRSPCAphotolibraryEthicalreviewAkeyquestionduringthetranspositionofEuropeanDirective201063intoUKlawwaswhetherlocalEthicalReviewProcessesERPswouldberetainedorbereplacedbythelocalAnimalWelfareBodiesAWBsspecifiedintheDirective.TheERPandAWBhavebroadlysimilarfunctions.Howeverthelatterfocusesonanimalwelfareandimplementationofthe3RsandlackstheexplicitreferencetoethicalreviewandtheconsiderationofharmsandbenefitswhichisintegraltotheworkofUKERPsandethicscommitteesgenerally.TheminimummembershiprequirementsarealsodifferentmembershipofanAWBcouldcomprisejusttwopeoplewhichdoesnotallowforinclusionoftherangeofexpertiseandperspectivesthatarethecornerstoneofaneffectiveERP.TherequirementforinstitutionalAWBsisamajoradvanceformanymemberstatesbutintheUKtheRSPCAarguedforcefullytoretaintheexistingERPsystem.TherewasagreatdealofsupportforthisfrommanyresearchestablishmentsandprofessionalbodieswhobelievetheERPbenefitsanimalwelfarescienceandthequalityofethicaldiscussion.TheRSPCAwasthereforedelightedwhenthegovernmentannouncedthattheywouldtransposetheAWBasanAnimalWelfareandEthicalReviewBodyAWERBandthatlocalestablishmentswouldbeencouragedtocontinuewiththeirexistingprocessesandmembershiprequirements.AnotherdevelopmentistherequirementforanewNationalCommitteefortheProtectionofAnimalsinScientificProceduresineachmemberstate.IntheUKthiscommitteewillbenamedtheAnimalsinScienceCommitteeASCanditwillreplacetheAnimalProceduresCommittee.NationalcommitteeswilladvisetherespectivecompetentauthorityandAWBsonanimalcareanduseandensuresharingofbestpractice.TheymustalsoexchangeinformationontheoperationofAWBsandprojectevaluationandsharebestpracticewithintheUnion.ThechairinitialmembershipandremitofthenewAnimalsinScienceCommitteewillbefinalisedduringthefirstmonthsof2013.ThekindofinformationandbestpracticeswhichitwouldbeusefultosharebetweentheUKsAnimalsinScienceCommitteeandAWERBsandalsoacrossmemberstatesweretopicsfordiscussionatthe2012RSPCAERPLayMembersForum12.IdeasonhowAWERBscoulddevelopwerealsocollectedtohelpintheimminentupdatingoftheRSPCAhandbookforlaymembers3andtheRSPCALASAGuidingPrinciples4onbestpracticeforERPs.FOOTNOTESANDREFERENCES1Formoreinformationregardingtheseforumsorourotherworktopromoteeffectiveethicalreviewseewww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsethicalreview2Seewww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsethicalrevieweventsandnewsletters3Currenteditionavailableatwww.rspca.org.uklaymembers4Currenteditionavailableatwww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsethicalreviewukandaroundtheworldThecreationanduseofgeneticallyalteredGAanimalscontinuestoriseworldwide.MiceandzebrafishremainthetwomostcommonGAspeciesusedinresearchalthoughtechnicaldevelopmentspublishedduring2012meanthatthegeneticalterationoflivestockanimalsandotherspecieswiththeexceptionofbirdsisexpectedtobecomemuchmorecommonplace.MuchofthegrowthinthenumberofGAanimalsreportedhasbeenidentifiedasresultingfromthecreationandbreedingofGAanimalsratherthantheiruseinscientificprocedures.Implementationofthe3RsisthereforeparticularlyimportantinthisfieldtocounteracttheescalatingnumbersandtothisendtheRSPCAresearchanimalsdepartmentundertookanumberofinitiativesin2012.lInMarchatrainingeventwasheldforscientistsandtechnicianswiththeaimofhighlighting3RsopportunitiesintheproductionbreedingandcareofGAmiceinordertominimisethenumberofGAanimalscreatedandusedaswellasreducingthepotentialforthemtoexperiencepainsufferingordistress.ThisisthefourthyearthatthemeetingGeneticallyAlteredAnimalsandthe3Rswhatsitallabouthasbeenheldwithover260participantshavingattendedtodate.lInJuneandforthethirdconsecutiveyeartheRSPCAco-organisedatrainingeventattendedbysenioranimaltechniciansanimalunitmanagersscientistsandvetsfromacrossEurope.Thethree-daycourseonManagingMouseColoniesBestpracticeinGeneticsBreedingandWelfarepromotescurrentbestpracticeincludingtwoRSPCAinitiativesaimedatreducingthenumbersofGAanimals www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupresearchanimalsSciencegroupreviewof201221Membershipduring2012includedthefollowinglEuropeanCommissionexpertworkinggroupsoneducationandtrainingretrospectiveseverityassessmentinformationonalternativemethodsand3Rsstrategies.lAnimalProceduresCommitteeAPCincludingmemberofthesub-committeeonhousingandhusbandryoflaboratoryanimalsandchairoftheworkinggroupreviewingtherevisionoftheEuropeanDirectiveonanimalsinscientificprocedures.lLaboratoryAnimalScienceAssociationCouncilmemberandco-convenerofsectiononeducationtrainingandethics.lBritishPharmacologicalSocietyAnimalWelfareandIntegrativePharmacologyCommittee.lBVAAWFFRAMERSPCAUFAWJointWorkingGrouponRefinementtheRSPCAresearchanimalsdepartmentprovidesthesecretariatforthisinitiative.lTheBoydGroup.lUFAW3RsLiaisonGroup.lEuropeanPartnershipforAlternativeApproachestoAnimalTestingMirrorGroup.lOECDTestGuidelinesShadowGroup.lVariousethicalreviewprocessesinindustryandacademia.Examplesofmeetingseventsparticipatedinduring2012lHomeOfficeAnimalWelfareandAlternativesStakeholderGroupmeetingsontranspositionoftheEuropeanDirective.lMeetingwithHomeOfficeMinisterLynneFeatherstoneMP.lUKParliamentaryCommitteeonScienceandTechnologymeetingAnimalExperimentationAreEURegulationsAdequatelHomeOfficeLiaisonOfficersForumtrainingformembersofERPs.lSystematicreviewsinlaboratoryanimalscienceSYRCLE.lNC3RsAnnualScienceReviewMeeting.lInstituteofAnimalTechnologyCongress2012.l3rdEastMediterraneanICLASSymposium.lJointConventionontheScientificRoadmapfortheFutureofAnimal-freeSystemicToxicitycoordinatedbyCAAT-EU.lBritishPharmacologicalSocietysymposiumaddressingchangestotheAnimalsScientificProceduresActbytranspositionofDirective632010EU.lWorldFisheriesCongresssatellitemeetingonthewelfareofexperimentalfish.lBritishAssociationofZebrafishHusbandryseminaronThePerceptionofPainanditsManagement.EngagingwithdecisionmakersScientificstafffromtheRSPCAsresearchanimalsdepartmentpromotetheRSPCAspoliciesaimsandobjectivesthroughengagementwithgovernmentsstatutorybodiesindustryacademiaandotherorganisations.Theyaremembersofmanynationalandinternationalcommitteesandworkinggroupsandalsohaveexpertinputintoarangeofconsultationsbothtogovernmentandnon-governmentalbodiesonawiderangeoflaboratoryanimalissues.Staffhavealsoproducedpapersonavarietyoftopicsthathavebeenpublishedinpeerreviewedscientificjournals.lAnimalUseinResearchandtheNewEUDirectiveChallengesandOpportunitiesforAnimalWelfareScienceEthicsandSocietyconferencehostedbyNorthumbriaUniversitySchoolofLaw.lModelsofExperimentalPainOpportunitiesandChallengesorganisedbyBritishPharmacologicalSocietyThePhysiologicalSocietyandNC3Rs.lASABSEBNC3RsSymposiumImplementingthe3RsinBehaviouralandPhysiologicalResearch.lMeasuringBehaviour2012.lChineseAssociationforLaboratoryAnimalSciencesAnnualMeeting2012.lNORECOPANorwegianconsensusplatformforreplacementreductionand.refinementofanimalexperimentsHarmonisationofthecareandUseofAgriculturalAnimalsinResearch.lFondazioneGuidoBernardiniinternationalconferenceTheEuropeanCommissionExpertWorkingGroupstofacilitatetheImplementationoftheDirective201063EU.lLaboratoryAnimalScienceAssociationUKannualwintermeeting.ResponsestoconsultationsincludedthefollowinglHomeOfficeinvitationtocommentDraftCodeofPracticeonCareandAccommodationandTranspositionofAnnexIIIJanuary.lHouseofCommonsScienceandTechnologyCommitteeinquiryonthecommercialisationofresearchFebruary.lUKStatisticsAuthorityAssessmentofStatisticsofScientificProceduresonLivingAnimalsProducedbytheHomeOfficeFebruary.lHomeOffice-invitationtocommentSchedule1AppropriateMethodsofHumaneKillingMarch.lNuffieldCouncilonBioethicsconsultationNovelNeurotechnologiesInterveningintheBrainApril.lHomeOfficePotentialConflictsofInterestinRelationtoNamedPersonsundertheASPAJune.lAnimalProceduresCommitteeReviewoftheAssessmentofCumulativeSeverityinNeuroscienceResearchInvolvingNon-humanPrimatesJune.lHomeOfficeProposalforcontentofthenewPersonalLicenceunderASPA2013andbeyondandprocessforimplementationSeptember. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlife22Sciencegroupreviewof2012WildlifeDespitegrowingpublicconcerntheappreciationofthewelfareneedsofwildanimalsisofteninadequate.TheRSPCAwildlifedepartmentseekstoimprovewelfareprovisionsforcaptiveandfree-livingwildanimals.Thisisachievedthroughresearchpromotinganawarenessoftherequirementsofanimalsandanemphasisonaprecautionaryandhumaneapproachtohumaninteractionswithwildanimals.HedgehoghibernationpatterntrackingprojectTheRSPCAsfourwildlifecentresadmitmorehedgehogsthananyothermammalwithanaverageofover1600beingadmittedoverthepast10years.Someofthesehedgehogsareinjuredorsickadultsbutmanyarejuvenileseithergenuineorphansoranimalsthathavefailedtothriveduetoillnesssuchaslungworm.Manyofthesehedgehogsareadmittedintheautumnandsowecanhavelargenumbersofhedgehogsinourcareoverwinter.Wehavemanagedthissituationinthepastbyreleasinganumberofthesehedgehogsduringthewinter.Weletthemsettleintohibernationincaptivitythenreleasethemduringspellsofmildweather.Aspartofourcontinuingresearchintothesuccessofwildliferehabilitationwearecurrentlyradio-trackinganumberofthesehedgehogstoinvestigatetheirsurvivaloverwinter.Theprevioustwoyearshavebeenpositivewithallthe1.MORRISP.A.1984AnestimateoftheminimumbodyweightnecessaryforhedgehogsErinaceuseuropaeustosurvivehibernation.JournalofZoology203291-294PhilipToscanoJoeMurphyx2RSPCAPhotolibraryAndrewKellyBScPhDHeadofdepartmentColinBootyBScDeputyheadAdamGroganBScRosClubbBScDPhilfrom26.11.2012LisaRileyBScMScMResMScPhDSeniorscientificofficersSophieAdwickBScMScScientificofficerNicolaCunninghamBScMScPGDipScientificinformationofficerAlisonCharlesVNBelDeeringBAMAPGCertResLeeStewartBScMScPeterVennBARSPCAwildlifecentremanagersSueGallagherOfficemanagerNatashaFauldingAdministrativeassistantreleasedhedgehogssurvivinghibernationandwakingupthefollowingspringtostartlivinglifeasawildhedgehog.Thisyearnotonlyareweradio-trackingourrehabilitatedhedgehogsbutwearealsoworkingwithuniversitydepartmentsatBrightonReadingandNottinghamTrenttocomparethesurvivalofrehabilitatedhedgehogswithwildhedgehogs.Wildhedgehogsweretaggedwithradiotransmittersattheselocationsandtheywillbemonitoredduringthewinter.Notonlydoweaimtodemonstratethatourrehabilitationandreleaseofhedgehogsissuccessfulbutbymonitoringwildhedgehogswehopetoprovideevidencetosupportthehypothesisthathedgehogsneedtoweighatleast450gtosurvivehibernationMorris19841.Theresultsfromalltheradio-trackedhedgehogswillbecollatedanalysedandsubmittedforpublicationassoonaspossible. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlifeSciencegroupreviewof201223BeingkeptinaparrotcageisnolifeforaprimatebutthatisoftenthecasewhentheRSPCAinspectorateencounterpetmonkeys.TheRSPCAreceivesaround50callsayearaboutpetprimatesbutthisislikelytoincreaseasinternettradeescalates.InthepastyearthreeprosecutionshavebeenbroughtallofwhichinvolvedcommonmarmosetssmallSouthAmericanmonkeys.Thereareseveralongoingincidentsinvolvingcommonmarmosetsandotherprimates.TheRSPCAwildlifedepartmentsupportstheinspectoratebyidentifyingspeciesprovidingcareadviceandsourcingrehomingopportunities.Mostrecentlywehaveassistedintheseizureofasquirrelmonkeyandprovidedadviceonenclosuredesignforapairofcommonmarmosets.InconjunctionwithMonkeyWorldApeRescueCentreDorsetUKwehavedevelopedaMarmosetRehomingProjectwhereanewcomplexhasbeenbuilttoprovidepermanentsafeandspecies-appropriatehomesforRSPCA-rescuedmarmosets.SevenRSPCA-casemarmosetshaverecentlytakenupresidenceByprovidingafundingbrieftotheteamresponsibleforliaisingwiththeRSPCAsmajordonorswehavebeenabletoraiseover10000forthisproject.ThewildlifedepartmenthasalsoconductedresearchintotheeffectivenessoftheCodeofPracticefortheWelfareofPrivatelyKeptNon-HumanPrimatesinEnglandwhichwillbereviewedbyDefrain2015.OurdataindicatesthatlocalauthoritiesinEnglandwhichissuelicencesforsomepetprimatestendnottobeawareoforusetheCodesuggestingthattheCodeisfailingtosafeguardthewelfareofpetprimates.OtherworkinthisareahasincludedinvestigationsintointernettradeandsupplyinginformationtotheUKgovernmentandtheWelshGovernmentaboutthescaleofprimatekeeping.Primateskeptaspets05001000150020002500300019981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011NumbersofhedgehogsadmittedtoRSPCAwildlifecentressince1998.AllhedgehogsRSPCAEastWinchRSPCAMallydamsRSPCAStapeleyGrangeRSPCAWestHatchRSPCAwildlifecentresdata1998-2011 www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlife24Sciencegroupreviewof2012BadgercullcontroversyTocullornottocullcontinuestobethequestionfeaturingattheheartofmuchoftheongoingdebateaboutbadgersandbovinetuberculosis.TheRSPCAwelcomedtheWelshGovernmentdecisiontopursueabadgervaccinationprojectintheIntensiveActionAreainPembrokeshireaspartofitsstrategicframeworkforbTBeradication.ThisfollowedareviewofthescientificevidencecommissionedbytheMinisterforEnvironmentandSustainableDevelopment.Bytheendoftheyearabout1400badgershadbeenvaccinated.HoweverinEnglandDefracontinuedtopursueapolicyinvolvinglicensingfarmerstocullbadgers.TwoareaswereselectedforpilotcullsinWestSomersetandWestGloucestershire.Applicantswererequiredtomeetvariouscriteriaincludingcullingatleast70percentofthebadgerpopulation.ThisrequiredrobustevidenceregardingthenumberofbadgersinthespecificareasaswashighlightedbyanimportantletterinthejournalNaturefromtworesearchscientists.TheRSPCAsubmittedanevidencestatementinsupportoftheBadgerTrustsapplicationforJudicialReviewinwhichweindicatedsomeoftheproblemsandscientificuncertaintiesbutwhilstrecognisingthescientificcontroversythedecisionwasbasedsolelyonlegalinterpretationandtheapplicationfailed.Anotherscientificchallengeemergedjustbeforecullingwasduetocommencewithmorethan30eminentscientistssigningalettertoTheObserverurgingthegovernmenttoreconsideritsstrategy.HoweverplansforthepilotcullswerepostponedlateinOctoberwhenspecificsurveysrevealedthatbadgernumbersintheareaswereroughlydoublethatinitiallyestimatedanditwasconsideredunlikelythatacullcouldbecompletedsolateintheyear.iStockAndrewForsythRSPCAPhotolibrarySamiulMohsaninRSPCAMallydamsWoodTheRSPCAconsidersexoticstobewildanimalsincaptivitybecausetheyhavenotundergonethesameperiodofdomesticationasmorefamiliarpetslikecatsanddogs.Theirneedscanbechallengingtomeetbecausetheyaretiedtotheanimalsnaturalwayoflifeinthewild.Webelievesomeexoticslikeprimatesareunsuitableaspetsbecausetheyhavesuchhighlycomplexneeds.Reliabledataisscarcebutexoticpetsdoappeartobeincreasinginpopularity1.TheRSPCAisfacinggrowingnumbersofincidentsrelatingtocertainexoticssuchasbeardeddragonsandmeerkats2.ExoticpetswerechosenasthefocusofoneoffiveRSPCAPledgeslaunchedinFebruary2012.Whilethepledge3coversallnon-domesticspeciesworkisinitiallyfocusingonreptilesandprimates.Thisyearhasbeenoneoflayinggroundworkandassessingpriorities.Wehaveproducedafundraisingandprojectbriefoutliningthepledgerationalemajorworkplansandassociatedcostssoughttobuildlinkswithotherindividualsandorganisationsdeterminedknowledgegapshighlightedareasforresearchandinitiatedprojectsandparticipatedinknowledgesharingthroughattendanceatconferences.Wehavealsobeenworkinginternallytoenhancetrainingforfieldstaffinvestindevelopmentandtrainingofspecialistfieldofficersanddevelopanetworkofboardingfacilitiesinouranimalcentres.WildanimalpetsREFERENCES1.PetFoodManufacturersAssociationannualsmallanimalpopulationsurvey.UKpopulationestimateforturtlestortoiseslizardsandsnakesrosefrom4000002008to7000002012.2.DataextractedfromtheRSPCAnationalcallcentredatabasein2011.3.RSPCAexoticspledgeToreducethenumberofexoticskeptaspetsandincreasetheirhumanecare. www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlifeSciencegroupreviewof201225Between2005and2011thefourRSPCAwildlifecentreshaveadmittedatotalof900commonbuzzardsButeobuteointocare.Thenationaltrendforthespeciesisoneofrapidpopulationincreaseandrangeexpansion1.Thereforeinthefuturewearelikelytoseemoreandmorecommonbuzzardsadmittedintowildliferehabilitationcentres.Thishighlightstheimportanceofassessingthesuccessofourrehabilitationtechniquesthroughpost-releasemonitoring.whichthespeciescouldnotbedetermined.Thereweretwoapparentseasonalpeaksinincidencepredominantlyadultharboursealswerediscoveredduringthesummerandjuvenilegreysealsduringthewinter.Post-mortemexaminationsof20harboursealsrevealedtheyhadbeenaliveandhealthywhentheinjuriesweresustainedwithnoevidenceofanyunderlyingdiseaseordisability.Basedonthepathologicalfindingsitwasconcludedthatmortalitywascausedbyasuddentraumaticeventinvolvingastrongrotationalshearingforce.Theinjurieswereconsistentwiththeanimalsbeingdrawnthroughtheductedpropellersofmarinevesselsandinsomecasestherewasadirectcorrelationwiththepresenceofworkboatsoperatinginthevicinity.ThisBetweenJune2008andDecember201076deadpinnipedswerefoundonthecoastoftheUKwithpeculiarinjuriesconsistingofasinglecontinuouscurvilinearskinlacerationspirallingdownthebody.Theskinandblubberhadbeenshearedfromtheunderlyingfasciaandinmanycasesthescapulaalsohadbeenavulsedfromthethoracicwall.AlthoughpreviouslyunreportedintheUKsimilardistinctivelesionshadbeendescribedinCanadianpinnipedswheretheywerereferredtoascorkscrewinjuries.IntheUKidenticalinjurieswereseeninbothnativespeciesofpinnipedwith43harboursealsPhocavitulina57percentand26greysealsHalichoerusgrypus34percentaffectedandsevencarcasses9percentforchallengestheconclusionsofapreviousstudyinCanadathatsuggestednaturalpredationbyGreenlandsharksSomniosusmicrocephaluswaslikelytoberesponsiblefortheseinjuries.TEXTTAKENFROMABSTRACT-PAPERPUBLISHED2012BextonS.ThompsonD.BrownlowA.BarleyJ.MilneR.andBidewellC.2012UnusualMortalityofPinnipedsintheUnitedKingdomAssociatedwithHelicalCorkscrewInjuriesofAnthropogenicOrigin.AquaticMammals383229-240.PinnipedscomprisesthefamiliesofOtariidaesealionsOdobenidaewalrusandPhocidaesealstogetherwiththeirimmediateancestors.AllabyM.2003OxfordDictionaryofZoologyreissuep413.Harboursealalsoknownasthecommonseal.Since2006RSPCAWestHatchandRSPCAMallydamsWoodhavefittedatotalof16commonbuzzardswithradiotagsinitiallyusingtailmounttagswhicharefittedtothebirdscentraltailfeatherbutthenmovingontolegmounttagswhicharefittedaroundthetarsusofthebird.Thisswitchinattachmenttechniquewasinresponsetopoortagretentionexperiencedwithtailmountedbirds.Thetagshaveabatterylifeofapproximately7.5monthsandtheaimoftheprojecthasbeentotrackindividualsforaslongaspossibletoexaminetheirpost-releasesurvivalanddispersal.Nineofthe16birdshavebeentrackedbyRSPCAMallydamsWoodofthesebirdstwodiedtwoshedtheirtagsandonewascaughtinaLarsontrapandlostitstag.Twoofthebirdssurvivedthedurationoftheradiotagsbatterylifewithbothbeingtrackedforover200days.Thefinaltwobirdsarestillbeingtrackedbuthavebothbeenoutforover100days.Thetaggedbirdshavebeenobserveddisplayingnaturalbehavioursforagingonwormsandinteractingwithconspecifics.Theprojectisongoingandwillbewrittenupin2013.REFERENCE1.BaillieS.R.MarchantJ.H.LeechD.I.RenwickA.R.EglingtonS.M.JoysA.C.NobleD.G.BarimoreC.ConwayG.J.DownieI.S.RiselyK.RobinsonR.A.2012.BirdTrends2011.BTOResearchReportNo.609.BTOThetford.httpwww.bto.orgbirdtrendsRSPCAMALLYDAMSWOODWILDLIFECENTREPost-releasemonitoringofcommonbuzzardsRSPCARSPCAwildlifecentresreviewTheRSPCAwildlifecentresatEastWinchMallydamsWoodStapeleyGrangeandWestHatchcontinuetostriveforabetterunderstandingofthecasualtiesintheircare.Numerousresearchprojectsareundertakentoinvestigatepost-releasesurvivalinrehabilitatedspecies.Techniquessuchasradio-trackingareusedaswellassimplermethodssuchasmarkinge.g.ringingbirdsandrelyingonre-sightingsforinformationonhowlongtheseanimalssurviveandhowfartheyhavetravelled.Someofthisworkiscarriedoutinconjunctionwiththewildlifedepartmentandhasbeenpromotedwidelyatvariousconferencesandsymposia.Inadditionthewildlifedepartmentandcentrescontinuetodevelopspeciesrehabilitationprotocolsbasedonbestpracticeandsoundscience.RSPCAEASTWINCHWILDLIFECENTREUnusualpinnipedmortalitiesassociatedwithcorkscrewinjuriesofanthropogenicorigin www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlife26Sciencegroupreviewof2012RepresentationonexternalcommitteeslAnimalWelfareNetworkWales.lBritishWildlifeRehabilitationCouncilBWRCSteeringCommittee.lInternationalWildlifeRehabilitationCouncilIWRC.lMarineAnimalRescueCoalitionMARC.lSpeciesSurvivalNetworkSSNBoard.lTheDeerInitiative.lTheMammalSociety.EngagingwithdecisionmakersScientificstafffromtheRSPCAswildlifedepartmentpromotetheSocietysagreedpoliciesaimsandobjectivesthroughadvocacytostatutorybodiesandotherorganisationsatthehighestlevel.Theyaremembersofmanynationalandinternationalcommitteesandworkinggroupsandalsohavekeyinputintoarangeofconsultationsbothtogovernmentandnon-governmentalbodiesonawiderangeofwildlifeissues.Belowisasmallselectionofthecommitteesmeetingseventsandconsultationsinwhichwildlifestaffhaveparticipatedduring2012.RSPCASTAPELEYGRANGEWILDLIFECENTREMonitoringstressandpost-releasesurvivalinfoxcubsAswildliferehabilitatorswemusthaveconfidenceinourrehabilitationprotocolssothatwearereleasingfitandhealthyanimalsthatcansurvivebackinthewild.BetweenJanuary2006andDecember2011RSPCAStapeleyGrangereceived754redfoxesVulpesvulpes289adultsimmatureand465juvenilesorphans.Overthissixyearperiod58adultsand262juvenilesorphanswerereleasedbacktothewild.Beforetakinginapparentlyabandonedcubseveryeffortismadetoleavecubsinthewildsothattheyhaveagoodchanceofbeingreunitedwiththeirparents.ThisRSPCApolicyensuresthateveryrescuedcubistrulyanorphan.Thereturnoforphanedcubscantakeuptosevenmonthswhichisbothexpensiveandlabourintensivehoweverlittleevidenceisavailableastohowwellthesesoftreleasedcubsdofollowingrelease.OverthenextfouryearsandinconjunctionwithManchesterMetropolitanUniversityRSPCAStapeleyGrangewillberunningthreeprojectsallofwhichrelatetofoxrehabilitation.1Monitoringstresslevelsoffoxcubsduringrehabilitationbymeasuringcortisollevelsinfaecalsamplestheselevelsactasindicatorstostress.2AssessingusingbehaviouralsoftwaretheimpactofourGSMcollarsonourjuvenilefoxestoensuretheyareunhinderedwhenreturnedtothewild.3Monitoring28rehabilitatedfoxcubsusingGSMcollarsforuptofourmonthspost-release.In2012fourfoxcubswerecollaredusingGSMcollars.Initialdatafromtwoofthecollaredfoxesshowthattheyareadaptingwellaftereightweeksandhaveappearedtohavefoundandsettledinnewlocationssomedistancefromtheirinitialreleasesites.WhilstonecollarwasremotelydroppedafteroneweektheotherhasbrokenandnowonlyworksusingVHFmodewhichisbeingtrackedbytheRSPCAStapeleyGrangeteam.LymeborreliosisorLymediseaseisacommonvector-bornediseaseofhumanbeings.Italsooccursindomesticanimals.LymeborreliosisiscausedbyagroupofcloselyrelatedBorreliaspeciesspirochaetebacteriawhicharetransmittedbetweenhostsbyIxodidticks.AlthoughvariousspeciesofwildmammalsandbirdsarethereservoirhostsforBorreliaspeciesdiseaseinwildlifeappearstoberare.InordertoimproveourunderstandingoftheepidemiologyofLymeborreliosisweundertookapilotstudyfundedbytheUniversityofBathtogatherinformationonthetickspeciespresentonwildanimalsinsouth-westEnglandandtheBorreliaspeciestheycarry.Seventy-fivetickswerecollectedopportunisticallyfrom15nativewildanimalseightEuropeanhedgehogsErinaceuseuropaeusfiveEurasianbadgersMelesmelesoneredfoxVulpesvulpesandoneroedeerCapreoluscapreolus.Thetickswerepreservedin70percentalcoholandsubmittedforspeciationandanalysisforthepresenceofBorreliaspecies.Tickswereidentifiedtospecieslevelbymicroscopyaccordingtomorphologicalcriteria.DNAwasextractedfromeachtickandBorreliaspecieswereidentifiedbyPCR.57Ixodeshexagonushedgehogticks16IxodescanisugadogorfoxticksandtwoIxodesricinussheepordeertickswereidentified.BorreliaspeciesDNAwasidentifiedin31ofthe75ticksexamined41percent.23Borrelia-positiveticks16I.hexagonusandsevenI.canisugawererecoveredfromfivebadgersfiveBorrelia-positiveI.hexagonuswererecoveredfromfouroftheeighthedgehogstwoBorrelia-positiveI.canisugawererecoveredfromthefoxandoneBorrelia-positiveI.ricinuswasrecoveredfromtheroedeer.TheBorrelia-positivesampleswereidentifiedtospecieslevelasfollows14BorreliagariniisevenBorreliavalaisianaoneBorreliaafzeliioneBorrelialusitaniaeandeightsamplesthatwerenottyped.RSPCAWESTHATCHWILDLIFECENTREPrevalenceofBorreliainfectioninticksfromwildlifeinsouth-westEnglandLeeStewartRSPCAStapeleyGrange www.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlifeSciencegroupreviewof201227lSeaAlarm.lCITESJointAnimalsandPlantCommitteemeeting.lWildlifeandCountrysideLinkWildlifeTradeworkinggroup.lWorldConservationUnionsOtterSpecialistGroup.ConsultationresponseslOpportunitytocommentonNaturalEnglandspilotcullareas.lLawCommissionreview.lABTAGlobalGuidelinesforAnimalWelfare.MeetingsandeventslAttendedEffectsofoilonwildlifeconferenceNewOrleans.lLawCommissionadvisorygroup.lMeetingwithAnglingTrustandNationalSwanConvention.lMeetingwithQCBadgerTrust.lPresentationonwildanimalsaspetstothelocalauthorityanimalwelfareofficermanagersAnimalWelfareForuminLondon.lAttendedbadgerpresseventatWestminster.lMeetingwiththeCVOWalesbadgervaccinationproject.lMeetingwiththeWelshGovernmentEnvironmentDepartmenttodiscusswildlifegenerallicencesandthenewEnvironmentBillanditspotentialimpact.l26thAnimalsCommitteemeetingofConferenceofthePartiestotheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofFloraandFaunaCITESMarch15-19inGenevaSwitzerland.lDeframeetingEUIASStrategyDevelopmentmeeting.lAlongwithIFAWandHSIUKmetwithJNCCandDefratodiscusswelfareprovisionsinCITESConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofFloraandFauna.lReceptionhostedbyLACSLondon.lPresentationatInternationalSocietyforAppliedEthologyISAEatHarperAdamsUniversityCollege.lCASJWildAnimalWelfarePolicySeminaratUniversityofLeicester.lMeetingwithDefraAHWBfuturestrategicdirectionrebTBLondon.lPresentationgivenonreptilesaspetsattheExoticpettradedayheldbyWildFutures.lPresentationgivenonthetradeandwelfareofwildanimalpetsattheNationalDogWardensAssociationAnimalWelfareSymposium.lUniversitiesFederationforAnimalWelfareconferenceYork.lHSIUKJointParliamentaryMeetingaboutharesHouseofCommons.lVetNetLLNWelfareConservationBirmingham.lAPGAWmeetingatHouseofCommonsLondon.lBalexDeltaexerciseforoilspillresponseHelsinki.lWildlifeRockseventatGuildfordCathedralhostedbyBrianMayandSaveMe.lWildFuturesmeetingLondon.lBriefingmeetingHouseofCommonsbadgerculling.lAttendedIrishrehabilitationconference.lAttendedaconferenceontheImportandkeepingofexoticpetsinEuropeinBrusselsorganisedbytheFederationofVeterinariansofEuropeCyprusPresidencyoftheCounciloftheEUtheEUCommissionandtheSwissFederalVeterinaryOffice.lAttendedthefirstannualTortoiseWelfareConferenceheldatColchesterZoo.lEthicsofAnimalsinEntertainmentconferenceRoyalVeterinaryCollege.lGavepresentationoncognitiveenrichmentingreatapesREEC4ShapeofEnrichmentconferencePortLympne.lRSPCAregionalchiefinspectorsmeetingsallregionsgavepresentationonexoticspledgeexoticsincidentsandRSPCAwildlifedepartment.lRSPCABlockFenbranchmeetinggavepresentationonexoticspledgeexoticsincidentsandwildlifedepartment.lSpeciesSurvivalNetworkElephantWorkingGroupmeetingBornFreeFoundation.lElephantHavenmeetingonnewelephantsanctuaryinEuropeBornFreeFoundation.lMonkeyWorldmeetingtodiscussnewmarmosetcomplex.ExternalfundinglOngoingresearchintotheeffectoftagsonrehabilitatedandreleasedseabirdsSwanseaUniversity.lSurvivalofhedgehogsduringhibernationBrightonandReadingUniversity.lReviewofthehumanenessofratmouseandmoletrapsWildlifeConservationResearchUnitWildCRUUniversityofOxford.FormoreinformationseeRSPCAScienceGroupReviewof2011.lResearchintobadgerbehaviourandmovementsduringandpostrehabilitationwithSwanseaUniversity.ScienticpublicationslBakerS.E.EllwoodS.A.TagarielliV.L.andMacdonaldD.W.2012Mechanicalperformanceofratmouseandmolespringtrapsandpossibleimplicationsforwelfareperformance.PLoSONE76e39334.ResearchfundedbyRSPCA.lBextonS.ThompsonD.BrownlowA.BarleyJ.MilneR.andBidewellC.2012UnusualMortalityofPinnipedsintheUnitedKingdomAssociatedwithHelicalCorkscrewInjuriesofAnthropogenicOrigin.AquaticMammals383229-240.lCouperD.andBextonS.2012Veterinarycareofwildowlcasualties.InPractice34270281.lGroganAandKellyAinpress.AreviewofRSPCAresearchintowildliferehabilitation.VeterinaryRecord.lKellyA.GoodwinS.GroganA.andMathewsF.2012Furtherevidenceforthepost-releasesurvivalofhand-rearedorphanedbatsbasedonradio-trackingandring-returndata.AnimalWelfare21127-31.ForafulllistofpapersproducedbyorinconjunctionwiththeRSPCAwildlifecentrespleasegotowww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupwildlifecurrentresearch. RoyalSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimalsWilberforceWaySouthwaterHorshamWestSussexRH139RSwww.rspca.org.uksciencegroupfacebook.comRSPCAtwitter.comRSPCA_ofcialTheRSPCAhelpsanimalsinEnglandandWales.Registeredcharityno219099TheRSPCAonlyexistsbecauseofpublicdonations.CoverpicsJoeMurphyAndrewForsythx2PhilipToscanoRSPCAPhotolibraryISSN1751-469X2.13