Ethics and Welfare Advisory Panel (EWAP) plays a key role in the development of BVA policy across a wide range of animal health and welfare, public health, and veterinary professional issues, by providing ethical and welfare advice. EWAP works closely with BVA Officers and the BVA team to:

• Advise Policy Committee and working groups on ethical and welfare issues relating to policy development.
• Review draft policies to ensure appropriate consideration of ethical issues, first and foremost in relation to animal welfare.
• Review draft policies to ensure justifiable conclusions based on the available scientific evidence and ethical analysis.
• Horizon scan for the hot topics for consideration by Policy Committee.

EWAP activity

EWAP is currently:

• advising on identified priority animal welfare problems, including the use of animals in performance sport and farrowing crates for pigs.
• advising on the ethical and welfare considerations for two working groups, one on gene-editing and one on diet and nutrition for dogs and cats.
• advising on the ethical and welfare considerations associated with fast growing broilers and cages for laying hens.

EWAP has recently:

• supported the development of the updated BVA Animal Welfare Strategy.
• advised on the development of our positions on canine breeding services, and Brucella canis.
• advised on our updated position on breeding for health and temperament in the context of breed specific legislation and extreme breeding for aggression.