The new advisory body will provide ethical and scientific advice to the Scottish government.

New body to protect wild and companion animals

The Scottish government has announced that members have now been appointed to the country’s first independent Animal Welfare Commission.

The 12 members have been selected for their knowledge and expertise regarding animal welfare, and will contribute to the commission’s aim of protecting wild and companion animals by providing ethical and scientific advice to the Scottish government.

According to a statement, the group will consider:

• how devolved policies are helping to meet the welfare needs of sentient animals
• possible legislative and non-legislative routes to further protect animal welfare
• the research required for an evidence base for future policy development.

Professor Cathy Dwyer, of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Edinburgh, was appointed chair in 2019. Commenting on the newly formed commission, she said: “We have been able to appoint a really strong Commission covering a range of different disciplines and areas of expertise. I am looking forward to working closely with these experts to be able to make a real difference to the welfare of animals in Scotland.”

Rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted to appoint these experts to work with Professor Dwyer and I very much look forward to working closely with them. Each member of the Animal Welfare Commission shares a passion for animal welfare and brings invaluable key skills and knowledge.

“Scotland has high standards when it comes to animal welfare and this Commission will play an important role in strengthening and improving the protection we offer to animals.

“The Commission will specifically consider how our current policies take account of animal sentience, the wider welfare needs of animals and what improvements could be made.”

The Animal Welfare Commission members are:

• Professor Cathy Dwyer of SRUC and the University of Edinburgh (chair)
• Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust
• Professor Marie Haskell, professor in Animal Welfare Science at SRUC
• Dr Harvey Carruthers, veterinary surgeon
• Mike Radford, lawyer specialising in Animal Welfare
• Dr James Yeates, CEO of Cats Protection
• Libby Anderson, policy advisor to OneKind
• Dr Simon Girling, head of veterinary services, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
• Mike Flynn, chief superintendent at the Scottish SPCA
• Dr Pete Goddard, veterinary surgeon
• Professor Tim Parkin, professor of Veterinary Epidemiology, University of Glasgow
• Dr Andrew Kitchener, principal curator of vertebrates at the National Museum of Scotland.