Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

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Foreword

The joint Animal Welfare Centre was established on the 24th March 1997 by the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The Centre focuses and coordinates the research and academic resources of the three collaborating organisations, providing the farming community with an internationally competitive research, teaching and training resource in animal welfare.

In 1997 a 5-year plan was developed for the Centre’s research, training and teaching activities and this plan consists of key programmes and their goals with identified key performance indicators. The plan was developed in consultation with the three partner organisations (through the Centre’s Board of Management), the Centre’s Advisory Committee, clients such as the rural industry research corporations and interested parties such as animal industry bodies and community groups representing the general public’s interest in animal welfare (such as the RSPCA and Animals Australia).

The major programs of the Centre are basic research to develop welfare methodology, research examining the effects of human-animal interactions, housing and husbandry practices on animal welfare, the development and provision of undergraduate, postgraduate and industry training programs in animal welfare and the provision of scientific, objective information on animal welfare to the general public.

Local and international consumer and public concerns about farm animal welfare are likely to place increasing pressure, either directly or indirectly, on practices in the livestock industries. RIRDC recognises the important role of the Animal Welfare Centre in improving our understanding on farm animal welfare and the factors that affect it. Sound knowledge is required on the welfare implications of contentious issues in order to sensibly direct changes in livestock production that reflect both the concern of the general public and the consumer, the risks to the welfare of farm animals and the sustainability of the livestock industries. Consequently RIRDC has supported the establishment of the Centre and a number of its research programs on laying hens and meat chickens.

This project was funded from industry revenue which is matched by funds provided by the Australian Government.

This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 900 research publications, forms part of our Chicken Meat R&D program, which aims to support increased sustainability and profitability in the chicken meat industry by focusing research and development on those areas that will enable the industry to become more efficient and globally competitive and that will assist in the development of good industry and product images.

Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website:
• downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm
• purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop

Simon Hearn
Managing Director
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

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Last updated: 24 July 2003
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http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/AFT/03-025sum.html