The Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) is an independent advisory body established by the
Government of the United Kingdom in 2011. It replaced the Farm Animal Welfare Council which was an independent advisory body established in 1979. The Council published its Final Report before its closure and replacement on 31 March 2011.
Farm Animal Welfare Council
The Farm Animal Welfare Council terms of reference were to keep under review the welfare of
farm animals
Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to provide labor and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to animals wh ...
on agricultural land, at market, in transit and at the place of slaughter and advise Government of any changes that may be necessary. The council comprised various Standing Committees and Working Groups that consulted widely and openly about the issues FAWC considered relevant to the welfare of farmed animals and to prepare recommendations for the Council's consideration. Once agreed, the recommendations formed the basis for advice given to Government. Copies of FAWC's Reports and other advice are available on the FAWC website.
The Council's major strength lay in its independence to investigate any topic falling within its remit and to communicate freely with outside bodies, including the
European Commission
The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...
and the public, while maintaining the independence to publish its advice.
The council also established the
Five Freedoms for farm animals. These freedoms serve as a basic outline for regulations concerning livestock, poultry, etc.
See also
*
2010 Nocton Dairies controversy
Nocton Dairies is a British company which was formed by Devon farmer and cheese-maker Peter Willes and Lancashire milk producer David Barnes in order to construct an 8,100-cow dairy at Nocton Heath in Lincolnshire, objectors to which claimed th ...
External links
Farm Animal Welfare Committee
Animal welfare organisations based in the United Kingdom
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
{{Livestock-stub