HSA marks a major milestone in the charity’s history

HSA’s Annual Report for 2019-20, which has just been published, recognises the charity’s largest programme of research – an award of £1.93 million for research and development to improve the welfare of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods at slaughter.  This is an area of work which is much needed and denotes a key milestone for the charity.

Over the course of the year, the charity’s technical expertise and advice has seen it responding to a number of consultations, most notably the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare report The Future for Small Abattoirs in the UK and a mobile abattoir initiative.  It has also provided advice on the principles of assessing and protecting animal welfare at the time of slaughter and killing to industry in The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Russia and the USA.

In addition, thanks to the generosity and invaluable support of its members and donors, the HSA has been able to carry out welfare assessments, provide training courses and lectures and fund essential research and other projects through its grants and scholarships.

As the year in review drew to a close, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic began to make itself felt.  HSA’s Chief Executive Huw Golledge said: “At the end of the 2019-20 year, like all charities, our activities began to be seriously affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  We face significant challenges over the coming years, both financial and practical… we have not been able to attend face-to-face meetings or to undertake our normal programme of welfare visits.  However, our staff have worked tirelessly to perform a large part of their work virtually and as I speak, they are working on providing advice and guidance remotely to those that may need it, as well as exploring ways to deliver virtual training and education as far afield as China.”

All of the work outlined in the report is only possible due to the generosity of our members and supporters.  If you would like to make a donation or become a member, you can do so here.  You can download the 2019-20 Annual Report here.