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Innovate UK funding to support chicken welfare projects
“As the industry has grown, so too have consumer concerns for animal welfare".
Researchers to further develop and test smart lighting system 

Bristol Veterinary School has been awarded two Innovate UK grants totalling almost £160k for projects into sustainable livestock production and improving chicken welfare.

The first project, 'Lighting for Broiler Enhanced Welfare and Commercial Output’ will be led by Dr Andy Butterworth, reader in farm animal science. It aims to further develop and test the first ever bio-adaptive, circadian, smart lighting system for broiler chickens that will recreate the properties of natural daylight.

“As the industry has grown, so too have consumer concerns for animal welfare,” Dr Butterworth explains. “Natural daylight, while the ideal, is not practical in all parts of the modern farming industry.

“Lighting has been demonstrated to impact productivity and welfare in the poultry industry but only day length and intensity are currently regulated to minimum standards. This project aims to achieve a step-change in lighting for animal husbandry, enhancing productivity and animal welfare in the food production industry, in the UK and globally.”

The second project will examine the feasibility of on-farm production of insect larvae from food waste to be used as a feed component for chickens.

Professor of regenerative medicine John Tarlton, who is leading the study, said: “The global population is expected to increase to nearly 10 billion by 2050. Alongside other problems of climate change and reduced agricultural land availability, feeding the world’s population is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.

“Insects are one of the most efficient converters of protein and are able to do this from non-human edible food waste, a resource, totalling 1.3 billion tonnes each year. Unfortunately, most people in the world are reluctant to eat insects. However, chickens, the world’s greatest producers of animal protein for human consumption, have no such sensibilities. Indeed, they are enthusiastic consumers of insects.

“The aim of the study is to assess nutritional, health and welfare outcomes in chickens which aims to advance progress towards sustainable livestock production, with an emphasis on animal health and welfare.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.