Grants and Awards available from the HSA

Humane Slaughter Award for Significant Advances in Humane Slaughter of Farmed Livestock

Very large numbers of farmed livestock are slaughtered daily around the world to provide food and other resources for human benefit. It is important that slaughter methods are as humane as possible – that is they approach as closely as possible the ideal of causing loss of consciousness and death without fear or pain. During the last 100 years or so, great advances have been made in this field and work in pursuit of further improvements is continuing.

In order to help give recognition to important contributions made in this field and to help promote interest in pursuit of further advances, the Humane Slaughter Association runs an award scheme for individuals or organisations (anywhere in the world) whose work has resulted in significant advances in the humane slaughter of farmed livestock (eg cattle, sheep, pigs, other mammals, poultry or fish).

The HSA is keen to receive applications or nominations relating to:

• Advances in science that have led or are leading to advances in humane slaughter

• Important technological developments that have led or are leading to advances in humane slaughter.

HOW TO APPLY: Individuals or organisations are encouraged to apply and we are also keen to receive nominations of potential candidates for this award from third parties. Closing date 31st March 2009. Click here for an application form. A poster can be downloaded here.

Dorothy Sidley Memorial Award
Established in 1986 as a memorial to the late Miss Dorothy Sidley, General Secretary to the HSA for 48 years, the award of up to £2,000 enables students or trainees in the industry to carry out a project which is clearly aimed at improving the welfare of food animals in markets, during transport or at slaughter. The work may be carried out as an integral part of a student's coursework over an academic year. On completion, a full report must be submitted to the HSA. Click here for more information on the award.

HOW TO APPLY: THIS AWARD IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2010.

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Research and other Grants
The HSA provides, when funds are available, grants for research, educational or other projects focused on improving the welfare of livestock animals at marketing, transport, slaughter or killing. Recent examples of HSA-funded projects include:

• The development of an alternative device for killing casualty poultry on-farm
  (Work carried out by Bristol University; funded by HSA, MAFF and the British Turkey Federation)

• Improved pig handling systems for pigs at slaughter
  (Work carried out by Cambac JMA Research; funded by HSA, MAFF, Meat and Livestock Commission and several pig processors)

• Is there a need for water in markets?
  (Work carried out by Cambac JMA Research; funded by HSA, MAFF and the Livestock Auctioneers Association)

• Automated humane slaughter of trout
  (Work carried out by Silsoe Research Institute and Bristol University; funded by HSA, MAFF, British Trout Association and a number of major retailers)

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