An annual $10,000 scholarship to support research into improving farm animal welfare has been launched.
The Rosalind Dixon Memorial Scholarship for Farm Animal Welfare Research is supported by The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics and the Humane Society International.
Coordinated by UQ’s Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, the scholarship is available to students undertaking Honours or postgraduate research into issues in intensive farming at any Australian or overseas university.
The scholarship was donated by Garth Dixon, in memory of his wife Rosalind Dixon. Mr and Mrs Dixon have made a long-stranding contribution to the preservation of native vegetation in NSW.
“I have had exposure to the suffering that factory farmed animals endure,” Mr Dixon said.
“I would like to think that the scholarship I have established in honour of Rosalind is offering a helping hand to the people who are working for more humane care of intensively farmed animals.”
Humane Society International Director, Verna Simpson, said she was looking forward to seeing some of the innovative ideas that come from the applications.
“We are anticipating some wonderful ideas that generate future research in farm animal welfare,” Ms Simpson said.
“The scholarship will be awarded each year so it will definitely be able to have a positive impact on improving the welfare of farm animals.”
The projects could lead to eliminating practices that impact on an animal’s ability to express natural behaviours such as; nurturing their young, interacting with their herd or flock, freedom for movement and exercise, minimizing stress in their environment and handling and alternatives to surgical procedures.
Applications close on Tuesday, 30 August 2011.
For a copy of the application form visit http://www.uq.edu.au/vetschool/?page=150041 or for more information contact Professor Clive Philips, Director of the UQ Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics on (07) 5460 1158, 0406 340 133 or email c.phillips@uq.edu.au
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