Scottish Animal Welfare Commission minutes: 8 August 2024

Attendees and apologies

Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) members

• Cathy Dwyer, Chair
• Libby Anderson
• Mike Radford
• Mike Flynn
• Andrew Kitchener
• Simon Girling
• Pete Goddard
• Paula Boyden
• Marie Haskell
• Ellie Wigham

Scottish Government

• Andrew Voas, Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
• Andy McKinlay, Policy Officer and Secretariat Support, Animal Welfare Team

Apologies

• Harvey Carruthers, SAWC Member
• James Yeates, SAWC Member

Items and actions

Welcome

The Chair welcomed the members to the third plenary meeting of 2024. 

Updates and Activity since last plenary meeting

SAWC

Since the last plenary meeting in May 2024:

SAWC responded to two consultations:

• a Scottish Parliament consultation on the National Performance Framework
• a Scottish Government consultation on a proposal to phase out the use of cages in Scotland’s laying hens sector

SAWC was represented by its Chair, Cathy Dwyer, at the EuroFAWC annual meeting, which was held in Edinburgh on 15-16th May.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) announced a seminar taking place on 26th October on Animal Welfare During Transport and Slaughter.  SAWC Commissioner Ellie Wigham will deliver a presentation on abattoir provision in Scotland and opportunities for mobile slaughterhouses.

SAWC’s working groups have continued to work on a range of animal welfare issues (see Work Group Updates section below).

Scottish Government

Officials continue to monitor and work with  DEFRA on issues which may extend to Scotland or have a potential impact in Scotland.  Key interest in the UK Live Exports Bill (now commenced)

The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill passed stage 1 in May; stage 2 is expected in September

The Dangerous Dogs (Scotland) Order 2024 fully came into force in July

Work on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill is ongoing

The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) annual plenary took place in Edinburgh on 9th May, and was facilitated and attended by the Scottish Government’s Animal Welfare Team

Work is ongoing in several other areas, including on:

• Castration and tail docking of lambs
• Livestock transport between islands and mainland Scotland; and welfare of trade
• Welfare of fish at time of killing

Work Group Updates

Aquaculture

The working group has continued to discuss the issue of cleanerfish and engage with relevant stakeholders.  

Dog Training

Ongoing discussions on other aversive training measures, and meetings with stakeholders.  Some SAWC Commissioners attended a Scottish Government workshop on the Welfare of Dogs in July.

Sentience

Ongoing discussions on fish sentience and their capabilities, and perceived inconsistencies in the existing legislation.

Wildlife Welfare

A catch up with NatureScot was held in June.

Ongoing discussions on the issue of translocations and reintroductions.

The Wild Animal Welfare Committee (WAWC) held an online conference on wildlife management on 16 May (can be viewed at this link).

Local Authorities Handling Animal Welfare Issues

The working group continues to discuss these issues and has been reaching out to local authorities across Scotland to learn about the issues they face.

Responsible Cat Care

Ongoing discussions around issues of microchipping, vaccination and neutering, the management of feral cat numbers and risks to wildcats through hybridisation.  Members continue to work on a report and hope that it will be ready for publication by the end of 2024.

Slaughter and Mobile Abattoirs

This working group continues to discuss issues around slaughter and mobile abattoirs, and continues to engage with various stakeholders and gather evidence in relation to animal movements to slaughter in Scotland.

Work Plan Discussion

Members discussed the current work plan and are now working on a revised version, which will be published in due course.

Update on activity of Animal Welfare Committee

AWC provided a written up on some of its ongoing work, including activity around the following areas:

• International rehoming

• Livestock breeding
• Fur – responsible sourcing
• Precision bred animals
• Welfare implications of feline breeding practices
• Welfare implications of specialised canine reproductive practices
• Poultry culling and nitrogen foam
• Equines at slaughter

Next Meeting/s

The next plenary meeting will take place on Tuesday 26th November 2024.

Any other business

Members discussed the Uist Native Wildlife Project (UNWP), which they were informed about by RSPB Scotland.  It is a joint partnership project between RSPB Scotland and NatureScot.