HSA Conference - 21 - 22 October 2025

Animal Welfare Beyond the Farm Gate: Latest developments in humane slaughter and transport of animals 

Location: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum and online 

Save the date for our two-day, hybrid conference dedicated to advancing and promoting animal welfare during transport, slaughter and killing. The HSA Conference 2025 will bring together professionals, researchers, and advocates from around the world to discuss recent scientific and technological advances, and share information and experiences.  

What to expect:  

Day One – Applied Focus: A programme focused on the latest developments in legislation and best practice techniques being used by industry. This day will feature both presentations by invited speakers and discussion sessions, covering a wide range of species and topic areas.  

Among the presentations will be:

• Anneleen Watteyn (ILVO, Belgium), who will talk about different catching methods for poultry, including upright catching.
• Jeff Lines (Ace Aquatec, UK) who will give an overview of the results, successes, and challenges from a large project funded by the HSA on improving the welfare of finfish at slaughter.

Day Two – Research Focus: A research-driven agenda exploring the latest scientific advancements and novel developments

Presentations will include:

• Jenny Bouwsema (Silsoe Livestock Systems, UK) – Improving the welfare of finfish at slaughter
• Awal Fuseini (AHDB, UK) – Halal slaughter of beef in the UK: a quest to find a welfare-friendly and halal compliant method of slaughter
• Ari Zivotofsky (Gonda Brain Science Center, Israel) – An analysis of the acceptability of the DTS cattle stunning system for use in schechita (kosher slaughter)
• Penny Lawlis (ACER Consulting, Canada) – Applying a one welfare approach to depopulation
• Katharine Fletcher (RVC, UK) – Pathophysiology of penetrating captive bolt gun stunning of horses

Download the preliminary programme

Flexible attendance options:

• In-person: Join us in-person for networking and live discussion sessions. Attend both days or choose the day most relevant to you.
• Online: Join online from anywhere in the world for access to the full two-day programme

Registration

We are offering flexible attendance options for the conference either in-person or online. In-person registration is now open, online will open soon. Please ensure you use the In-person registration form only if you will be attending in-person.

In-person registration rates:
Individual (21 & 22 October)     £350
Student (21 & 22 October)         £275

Individual (21 October only)      £195
Student (21 October only)         £150

Individual (22 October only)      £195
Student (22 October only)         £150

Register to attend in-person

Online

Join online from anywhere in the world for access to the full two-day programme. 

Individual (21 & 22 October)   £150
Student (21 & 22 October)      £100

Register to attend online

Online (delegates from low- and middle-income countries - FREE

To maximise access to the meeting, the fee will be waived for delegates resident in low- and middle-income countries eligible for the Research4Life scheme (Group A and B). Click here for a list of eligible countries. PLEASE CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY BEFORE REGISTERING AS INVALID REGISTRATIONS WILL BE REMOVED.

Individuals     Free

Register to attend online free for eligible delegates

Event timetable

Abstract submission opens: 15 April 2025
Registration opens:  1 May 2025 
Abstract submissions deadline: 30 June 2025 
Notification of abstract acceptance: 25 July 2025
Online registration opens 4 August 2025
Conference dates: 21-22 October 2025 

Sponsorship Opportunities

We have an extremely limited number of sponsorship opportunities available for this years conference. To see the options available click the button below.

 Sponsorship opportunities

For updates on this event and our other work sign up here. For any questions about this event, please contact events@hsa.org.uk.