Industry conference to raise the bar for sheep health and welfare

Working together for world-leading health and welfare is the focus of the fifth Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG) conference next month.

The conference, taking place on Tuesday 24 November, will be online for the first time due to Covid restrictions and will explore target areas for the sheep industry to ensure it is ready for the challenges ahead. There will also be an introduction to the new Ruminant Health and Welfare Group, which will become the co-ordinator for ruminant health and welfare activity across the UK.

Farmers, vets, advisors, processors, retailers, students and academics from across the sheep industry are invited to the one-day event to hear the latest developments in sheep health and welfare. Speakers will include leading industry professionals across three sessions: ensuring responsible medicine use, priority areas for the sheep industry and an interactive session on the future vision for ruminant health and welfare.

Charles Sercombe, Chairman of the Sheep Health and Welfare Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver the SHAWG conference online this year despite the unsettled times we have faced.

“As we move into a new era of 'public money for public goods', sheep farming will need to continue to demonstrate its ability to reduce the impact of climate change and enhance animal health and welfare.

“It is therefore as important as ever to ensure that as an industry we work together to achieve the vision of a world class-sheep industry that is inspired by and competes with the best. We hope attendees will benefit from new knowledge, feel inspired by the speakers and come away feeling that they have actively contributed to the future of our industry.”

The event will take place on an interactive online conferencing platform, which includes a downloadable app, enabling delegates to hear from speakers, chat to peers and seek advice from sponsors. The conference is free to attend but registration is required at www.shawg.org.uk

If you or your company are interested in sponsoring the event, please email sarah.measom@ahdb.org.uk

Full list of speakers:

• Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health Ltd
• Lesley Stubbings, LSSC Ltd
• Jasmeet Kaler, University of Nottingham
• Samuel Boon, Signet Breeding Services/AHDB
• Alex Corbishley, The University of Edinburgh
• Nigel Miller, Chair of RHWG

SHAWG is an independent UK body whose membership reflects the variety of organisations involved in the sheep industry. More than 35 organisations are members of SHAWG, including Government agencies, levy boards and trade associations, and also include farmer representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Further details can be found on the SHAWG website: www.shawg.org.uk