Lee Whittington-Prairie Swine Centre:
We have identified the fact that there needs to be a go to group in science, in the area of welfare in pigs. Somewhere where the packing industry can go to, the pork industry whether they're a producer or someone involved in transportation or even retailers or even the general public, some place that they can go where there will be expertise that is science based plus have the ability to bring together all of the different research projects that might be happening at other institutions across Canada and have a single portal or window, if you will, of opportunity for various groups to come to and find more about pig welfare and pig care and where the research is leading us in that area.
Whittington says the new scientist will also be expected to develop relationships with researchers in veterinary medicine, nutrition, engineering and barn design across Canada to come up with multi disciplinary projects that answer practical questions like, how much space do animals need, or how can we reduce pain during teeth clipping, tail docking or castration, which have been cited in the most recent code of practice.
For more on this new position visit the University of Saskatchewan or the Prairie Swine Centre web sites.
Source: Farmscape