University of Aberdeen Department of Agriculture Lecturer
wins RSPCA/British Society of Animal Science Award
Dr Peter English, Reader in the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Agriculture, has won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/British Society of Animal Science Award for Innovative Developments in Animal Welfare.
This prestigious award - to be presented at a ceremony on Monday 23 March - is in recognition of his pioneering research over many years into the particular needs of the smaller, less competitive animals in all farm animal systems and in developing educational, training and motivational philosophies and practices for stockpeople in the livestock industries, with resulting benefits to animal welfare.
Peter English, who is a member of the Government’s Farm Animal Welfare Council, says:
“I’m delighted to accept this award. Stockpeople - both paid employees and working farmers themselves - have a complex job to do and much of their important caring work for 7 days a week and 365 days a year goes unsung. My current research is examining ways of enhancing their status and motivation by providing them with better access to appropriate education and training which in turn has benefits for animal welfare. The vast majority of stockpeople are highly caring of their animals but they need support to maintain and raise standards even higher. They have a great thirst for learning and we’ve had a great response to our educational initiatives from the very people in the industry we’re trying to assist.”
Improving stockmanship and livestock practices, Peter believes, begins with education and training and is further enhanced by good working conditions, man management and motivation; this leads on to improved job satisfaction and even greater dedication to their animal caring work.
Roy Foster, RSPCA Chairman, will present Peter with a certificate, an engraved glass bowl and a cheque at the Annual Meeting of the British Society of Animal Science in Scarborough.
The full award citation on the certificate reads: ‘For improving awareness of the welfare problems of the underprivileged individuals within all farm animal systems, devising through scientific study, practical methods to assist such individuals, and enhancing the ability and motivation of stockpeople or animal carers to apply these methods in the commercial situation.’