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Defra to fund research into pig stunning methods
Pig
Research shows that pigs find direct exposure to CO2 aversive.
Project to develop more humane methods of slaughter

Research into alternatives to the use of carbon dioxide for the commercial slaughter of pigs will be jointly funded by Defra, it has been announced.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) and Defra are offering up to £400,000 for a project to develop a more humane ways to stun pigs at slaughter.

It is common practice for pigs to be exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) before slaughter, particularly in the UK and other EU member states.

But research shows that pigs find direct exposure to CO2 aversive. In 2003, a report published by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) recommended that this method should be phased out.

A report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed the effectiveness of the method, but noted that it resulted in respiratory distress in pigs. The HSA said that similar concerns expressed for poultry and alternative controlled atmosphere systems are now in use within the poultry industry.

Defra and the HSA said that they are both committed to improving the welfare of animals at slaughter and the funding aims to develop a more humane method which could replace high-concentration CO2 stunning of pigs.

They add that the project aims to ensure that any proposed method is not only more humane but also practically and economically viable so that it is likely to be widely adopted by the pig industry.

“The HSA hopes that this collaborative funding opportunity with Defra will lead to improvements in the welfare of pigs at the time of slaughter,” commented HSA’s chief executive & scientific director Dr Robert Hubrecht.

Welcoming the announcement, the National Pig Association (NPA) said it was pleased funding has been made available for research into new methods.

NPA senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford said: “We also welcome HSA’s acknowledgement that new methods need to be commercially viable to ensure roll out but, until an alternative is found, CO2 stunning remains best practice.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.