Well-known academic honoured for contribution to pig welfare

Professor Sandra Edwards has been recognised for her ‘immense contribution’ to pig farming and animal welfare at a prestigious ceremony at the House of Commons.

Prof Edwards, who recently retired as chair of agriculture at Newcastle University, received the Outstanding Contribution to Farming Award at the Food and Farming Industry Awards, which were hosted by well-known political correspondent John Pienaar on Friday night.

The former David Black Award winner is best known for her research on developing approaches to improve animal welfare worldwide, notably for commercially farmed pigs. The judges said she had ‘contributed to pig farming worldwide and the improvement of pig health and welfare across the globe’.

The citation read: “The contribution that Sandra has made to the food and agriculture industry over the years is immense and the accolades and recognition she has received in relation to being nominated for this award are vast. What is special about Sandra is that she always finds that very important balance between science and the practicalities on farm.”

She has published more than 220 papers and book chapters on her work and has delivered lectures on animal welfare all over the world. She has provided her unique insight on animal on various influential bodies, including such as Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), BPEX and welfare assurance schemes.

Many of the welfare projects she has led involve collaborations between government, academia, NGOs and industry.

The judges at the event, organised by Farm Business, also gave a special mention Daphne Tilley MBE for her work as an ambassador for Welsh lamb and raising its profile.