Today is the second National Animal Welfare Conference, taking place in Farmleigh, Phoenix Park. This annual one day conference is an exciting development on the animal welfare scene in Ireland, moving animal welfare up the agenda in the political and social arena. The event was initiated by Simon Coveney, who has been Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine since 2011, and it’s organised by his department officials.
I’ll be attending the conference, and will be giving as-it-happens updates via my Facebook page and Twitter account. If anyone has comments or questions, send Facebook posts or Tweets, and I will respond as promptly as I can.
The agenda is listed below: it should be an informative, useful and enjoyable day.
First session: Companion Animal Welfare – Update and Future Developments
9.15 – 9.35 Introduction by Minister Coveney
9.35 – 9.50: Mark Beasley – CEO Dogs Trust: Microchipping and rehoming
9.50 – 10.05: Brian Gillen – CEO DSPCA: Animal Welfare issues in Dublin and surrounding areas
10.05 – 10.20: Dr Andrew Kelly – CEO ISPCA: the AHW Act- ISPCA experiences to date
10.20 – 10.35 Alan Rossiter – Veterinary Ireland: A Veterinary Perspective
10.35 – 11.15 Panel discussion followed by Q & A
Second Session: Equine Welfare – Update and Future Developments
11.45 – 11.55 Introduction Minister Coveney
11.55 – 12.15 Paddy Wall – Chairperson Horse Sport Ireland: learning the lessons of recent years
12.15 – 12.30: Dr Joe Collins – Donkey Welfare in Ireland (finding of a recent study)
12.30 – 12.45: Hilary Robinson – Hungry Horse Outside: Dealing with indiscriminate horse breeding (Report on a successful Equine Castration Project in the Midlands)
12.45 – 12.55: Helen Griffin – South Dublin County Council: The Proposed Clondalkin Equine Project
12.55 – 1.30 Panel Discussion followed by Q & A
Please get involved today if you wish, by sending Facebook posts or Tweets
Minister Simon Coveney with US Ambassador Kevin O'Malley at an animal welfare reception prior to the conference
Please note that I am unable to answer veterinary questions in comments. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health it is always better to contact your vet.