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 cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.
• advising on the ethical and welfare considerations for three working groups, one on animals in performance sport, one on anthelmintics in grazing animals, and one on the UK veterinary agreement with the EU.
• advising on the ethical and welfare considerations associated with fast growing broilers and cages for laying hens.

EWAP has recently:

• advised on the development of our position on gene-editing of animals.
• advised on the development of our position on diet and nutrition for cats and dogs.
• 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.