Appointments to the Animal Welfare Committee extended
Three committee member terms have been extended.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended the terms of three members of the Animal Welfare Committee.
Dr Jane Downes, Dr Troy Gibson, and Dr Dorothy McKeegan will serve on the committee for an additional nine months from 1 January 2025 until 30 September 2025.
The Animal Welfare Committee advises Defra, as well as the Scottish and Welsh Governments, on matters relating to animal welfare, including farmed, companion and wild animals kept by people.
Madeleine Campbell, Chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, said:
I am delighted that Dorothy, Troy and Jane have each agreed to continue their service on the Animal Welfare Committee. They bring diverse, much-valued expertise and practical experience to our evidence-based work.
Biographies
Dr Jane Downes:
- Jane is an independent veterinary consultant and has chaired the Animal Welfare Committee’s Welfare at Killing sub-committee, which advises Defra and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments on the protection of animals at the time of killing, for the past four years.
- She has expertise in animal welfare at slaughter and food safety. Jane is also the Chair of the Pig Health and Welfare Council and a Trustee of the University Federation for Animal Welfare/Humane Slaughter Association.
Dr Troy Gibson:
- Troy is an Associate Professor in Animal Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, with specialisms in welfare at slaughter, livestock husbandry procedures and wildlife management.
- Troy is also a member of the Animal Welfare Committee at the Zoological Society of London and the Ethics Advisory Committee at the RSPB.
Dr Dorothy McKeegan:
- Dorothy is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare and Ethics at the University of Glasgow, with specialisms in humane slaughter and welfare assessment.
- Dorothy is also a Trustee of the University Federation for Animal Welfare/Humane Slaughter Association and an Ethics Advisory Committee member at the RSPB.