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Centre for Human Animal Studies opens
human with pet dog
The new research centre explores the relationship between humans and animals.
Centre aims to rethink relations between humans and animals

A pioneering research centre which examines the various relationships between humans and animals has now opened.

Based at Edge Hill University in Lancashire, The Centre for Human Animal Studies (CfHAS) is the first of its kind in the UK and held its inaugural conference at Edge Hill University on Saturday, October 25.

The CfHAS is an interdisciplinary forum for research and activities that engage with the various relationships between humans and other animals. It brings together scholars from various disciplines including the arts and humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and examines how rethinking human-animal interaction can create meaningful social, policy, environmental, ethics and cultural change.

The launch of the centre and the in augural conference reflects the recent expansion in the fields of animals studies, critical animal studies, human-animal studies and the science of animal emotion and cognition.

The conference had three broad but intersecting thematic strands - ethics, sustainability and sentience.

Keynote speakers included Professor Elisa Asltola (University of Eastern Finland; University of Turku), Professor Jonathan Balcombe (Human Society Institute for Science and Policy) and Dr Richard Twine (Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences at Edge Hill University/CfHAS and previously Institute of Education, University of London).

Dr Richard Twine said: "The new centre and its inaugural conference are landmark moments for the interdisciplinary study of the social cultural, and ethnical dimensions of human/animal relations. Such scholarship underlines that human and animal flourishing are inextricably linked and that critical reflection upon how and why we value other animals are part of a required broader project to rethink our economy and society in ways that better respect the environment and other species." 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.