Sweden
Name
Swedish Scientific Council for Animal Welfare
Web address
Scope/mission statement
The Scientific Council constitutes a risk assessment body for animal welfare, serving central competent authorities and other relevant organisations with science-based statements and opinions related to various animal welfare issues.
Structure
The Council consists of approximately 10-12 scientists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Scientists (SLU), plus one legal expert and two administrative officers. The chairperson and the members of the Council are appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at SLU. For each assignment/question received, the Council forms a working group with two members from the Council and 2-4 external experts, who with support from the officers draft the opinion for the Council, which can then make modifications before adopting the opinion.
Working methods
The Council shall identify, compile and evaluate scientific research on animal welfare and related issues, such as economics for production and work environment, on behalf of, for example, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the National Food Administration, and other stakeholders such as interest organizations. Focus is on issues relevant to animal welfare in Swedish animal husbandry for farm animals, but also other species can be covered. The Council shall provide the risk-management authorities and decision-makers with scientifically sound documentation for different types of policy decisions or regulation changes. The Scientific Council shall thus produce documentation and write opinions on animal welfare-specific issues. The compilations and opinions produced by the Council shall give a good picture of the overall state of knowledge.
Publications
The Council publishes its reports primarily in Swedish. They are published online, https://www.slu.se/en/Collaborative-Centres-and-Projects/swedish-centre-for-animal-welfare-scaw/identifies-compiles-and-evaluates-scientific-research-on-animal-welfare/reports/
Contact details
vetenskapligtrad.djurskydd@slu.se (Chairperson: Lotta Berg, Lotta.Berg@slu.se)
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