WHY A UK AWRN?

People are concerned about animal welfare. In a 2015 Europe-wide survey 94% of c.28,000 EU citizens considered the protection of the welfare of farmed animals to be important, and 61% of these rated it as being of the highest importance. Societal concern about animal welfare can polarise opinion. Decisions by government and other stakeholders need to be based on information about the welfare of animals that is as unbiased and objective as possible. This information comes from systematic and scientific animal welfare research.

The Animal Welfare Research Network is a response to these drivers that aims to bring the animal welfare research community together, improve collaboration, and help sustain and develop UK animal welfare research. A strong and cohesive research community is essential to underpin well-informed decisions that maintain and improve welfare.