Foundation Chair of Animal Welfare in UQ’s School of Veterinary Science, Professor Clive Phillips has been appointed chair of the Queensland Animal Welfare Advisory Board, which will provide advice to the Minister of Agriculture on animal welfare and animal ethics matters to improve the welfare of animals in Queensland within the scope of the Animal Care and Protection Act.
The new Board met for the first time this month, with State Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson saying the meeting “ushered in a new era for animal welfare in the state.”
Professor Phillips, who heads UQ’s Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, was educated at the University of Glasgow and subsequently held appointments at the University of Wales and Cambridge University, where he co-founded the Farm Animal Epidemiology and Informatics Unit, and a professorial appointment at University of Lincoln, UK.
He joined The University of Queensland in 2003 as Australia’s first professor of animal welfare, following an international search.
He has won a Eureka award for scientific research that contributes to animal protection.
Professor Phillips’ work has included studying the export of livestock from Australia, reducing under-nutrition in livestock, improving conditions for captive wildlife and increasing respect for animals.
He has recently developed voluntary Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) poultry animal welfare guidelines, and has worked with international partners to build awareness around improving animal welfare at slaughter and during transport in Asia.
Minister Donaldson said the treatment and welfare of animals on farms, homes, in transit, in zoos, tourist attractions and at the point of slaughter was a deeply held concern across Queensland and it is everyone’s responsibility.
“Members of the Animal Welfare Advisory Board will consider a broad range of issues and will take into account best practice animal welfare, national and international trends, industry capability, public opinion, scientific knowledge and animal ethics in reaching their conclusions,” she said.
The Board replaces the former Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.