Written by Iain Hoey
Farmers, vets and industry stakeholders will be joining forces at this year’s Sheep Health and Welfare Group Conference to focus on world-leading health and welfare standards by acknowledging the need for continuous knowledge exchange and practical solutions to sheep industry challenges
The conference, which is taking place online on Tuesday 24 November from 9am to 4pm will be led by Nigel Miller, qualified vet and chair of the newly formed Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) group,
Mr Miller said: “We are in a position where we should be looking to the future – and the conference is all about that. It’s about driving efficiency and recognising that health and welfare plays a critical role in maintaining a profitable sheep sector.”
In the interactive session attendees will be invited to voice their own concerns and perceptions of diseases, syndromes, and their impact on productivity and welfare, which Mr Miller says are a significant concern to farmers as diseases do not respect country borders and can wreak havoc on animal health, welfare and food production.
He explained: “We will be looking at diseases that strip-out efficiencies in our systems, and those that cause real pain. We often take our high welfare culture for granted, but for us it’s important that we do get it right.”
“How we manage disease risk and infection will be a part of tightening efficiencies and maintaining profitability, without compromising our food production standards.”
The one-day conference will provide a platform for speakers, including vets, consultants, academics, and farmers, over three key sessions: Safeguarding responsible medicine use, priority areas for the sheep industry, and Mr Miller’s interactive session.
Tickets for the SHAWG conference are free but must be booked in advance.
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