New developments in science and technology have led to rapidly changing management systems for agricultural animals. These new practices result in lowered production costs and cheaper food; they also raise ethical questions of public concern. This new social context has spawned new science and technology for animal welfare. This award provides partial support for travel costs for speakers and organizing committee members for "An International Conference on Farm Animal Welfare: Ethical, Scientific and Technological Perspectives" in Spring, 1991. The conference will address the ethical considerations involved in animal-based food production and the potential impact of scientific and technological changes on the human-farm animal interface. Sponsors and participants represent a variety of viewpoints and disciplines including research, education, ethics, animal welfare organizations, government agencies and animal industries. Five symposia are planned: Ethical and Technological Issues associated with Animal Agriculture; Assessing Animal Well-Being; New Technologies to Improve the Welfare of Production Animals: Sustainable and Alternative Production Systems for Animal Agriculture; Current Regulations, Guidelines and Codes of Practice Affecting Farm Animals Used in Production and Research; and Workshop on Future Directions. Output from the conference will include numerous special publications and several volumes of proceedings. This project addresses an important issue; it brings together leaders from science, industry, animal welfare and public interest organizations in this nation and abroad to listen to state-of-the-art presentations and discuss future research directions, undergraduate and graduate educational activities and public educational activities. The project team, advisors, and speakers represent an appropriate mix of expertise and views and are uniquely qualified to collaborate in this project. Results are likely to forward professional and public discussion of the issues. The project is designed well; significant support is forthcoming from other organizations and from the university sponsor. An award in the amount of $25,000 is recommended.
