Would-be authors with an eagle eye will notice that Animal Welfare has recently revised its comprehensive Instructions for Authors. As well as a number of changes designed to clarify and facilitate the task of making submitted manuscripts suitable for publication without repeated and extensive revision, they may have noticed that there is a more detailed statement on the editorial policy with regard to the use of animals in work described in submitted papers.

In order to test the hypothesis that social parameters within carnivore societies are correlated with health status, a profile is presented of the general health, haematology and blood biochemistry of a colony of free-living feral farm cats (Felis silvestris catus). Samples and biochemical data were collected between late November and early December 1989. A higher proportion of adult males than females was found to be clinically abnormal. Social status (Central or Peripheral) had a significant effect on female mouth condition, but not on male mouth condition. Eosinophilia (34.6% of individuals), high fibrinogen levels (19.2%) and low haemoglobin levels (28.8%) were significantly more likely to occur in clinically abnormal than in clinically normal cats. Blood biochemistry varied with age and, among adults only, varied between the sexes. Haematological measurements varied significantly with age and sex. There were no haematological effects of social status in males, but in females social status affected reticulocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and white blood cell (WBC) counts. We interpret variation in health and haematology in terms of the differences in social status and reproductive tactics.

This study was designed to investigate the physiological responses induced in sheep (n = 18) by two different loading techniques followed by a short road journey. All animals were prepared with venous catheters, to minimize the disturbing effects of blood sampling, and nine sheep were fitted with heart rate monitors. The animals were loaded onto a transport vehicle in groups of three, alternately using a conventional tailgate ramp or a crate raised with a hydraulic lift. When all of the sheep were loaded, they were taken on a journey lasting 195min. Blood samples were collected in the home pen, directly after loading, and at 15min intervals during the journey. Measurements were made of plasma concentrations of Cortisol, prolactin and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline). The results indicated that heart rate increased during loading, regardless of the method used. No changes in concentrations of Cortisol or the catecholamines were detected, although a small increase in prolactin was noted when animals were loaded using the ramp. During transport, all sheep exhibited increases in plasma Cortisol concentrations which were greatest during the first 2h of the journey. The results suggest that, under the conditions employed in this experiment, the effects of the two loading procedures were similar and that transport appeared to be more stressful than loading.

Modern zoos are increasingly successful in maintaining and breeding exotic species. Many of the animals bred in captivity cannot be housed in their natal zoo nor in other recognized zoos in the region. These ‘surplus ‘ animals create a problem as zoos only have limited space at their disposal. The options open in this situation are to avoid the problem by preventing the animals from breeding (sterilization or contraception) or to dispose of the surplus animals (euthanasia; or transfer either to institutions not recognized by any national zoo federation or to a zoo outside the region, possibly using the services of an animal dealer). The pros and cons of all these options are evaluated in terms of practicality, welfare and ethics. In many cases, the judicious use of a combination of contraception and euthanasia would seem the most acceptable choice from an animal welfare point of view. Nevertheless, it is believed that considerably more research is needed into the methods and welfare aspects of contraception and sterilization.

The frequency, intensity and location of fence line pacing were observed daily, in four groups of six farmed red deer hinds, over a 3-week period at calving. The groups were confined in neighbouring paddocks (5000m2 in area; two containing a wooden shelter) adjacent to deer yards containing an observation hide. At 1100h, a person entered each paddock to weigh, sex and tag newborn calves.

Pacing (moving parallel to and within 0.5m of a fence line) was mainly at walking speed, and its frequency differed according to the time relative to parturition. It was recorded in 13.6 (± 1.09) per cent of observations during the period 2-4 to days before calving, increased to 27.6 (± 1.9)per cent on the day before birth and then declined to 4.6 (± 0.39) per cent for the period of 0-3 days after calving. Pacing relative to total movement was greater before (65.7%) than after (43.5%) parturition (SED 3.7%; P < 0.001), indicating that it was not just a consequence of greater activity before birth. The hinds were observed to be grouped together rather than distributed randomly, but when some of the hinds were pacing, groups were spread out over more quarters of the paddock than when none were pacing (P < 0.001). However, there was no definite suggestion of avoidance of other deer. Within each group, most pacing occurred along certain fence lines, but no general pattern was observed. Regardless of whether hinds had given birth or not, there were graded increases in pacing depending on the degree of human presence (not present<within deer yards <visible<in paddock; P < 0.05); and deer favoured areas distant from human presence (P < 0.01). The findings in relation to fence line pacing and location support suggestions that human interference at calving should be minimized, but did not indicate which environmental features were responsible for this motivational drive.

Disease is one of the most important causes of animal suffering. When diseases are treated the aim is to achieve rapid and permanent recovery and this helps to reduce the duration of suffering. It does not, however, alleviate suffering during the fulminant and recovery phases. Greater attention needs to be given to alleviating suffering and the signs of sickness during disease states. In this paper, the role of the cytokines in mediating sickness behaviour and suffering during disease is reviewed. The importance of sickness behaviour in improving the chances of recovery are considered, along with the potential use of anti-cytokine strategies in alleviating suffering in disease states.

Ostrich welfare on farms of is great importance, particularly because little is known about appropriate husbandry conditions for these birds in a northern European environment. Rain has been shown to influence the pattern of behaviour during the spring months. This study examined the effects of four different climatic conditions (raining, dull but overcast, bright but overcast and sunny) on the behaviour of ostriches during the winter. Compared with dry conditions, there was a significantly higher rate of sitting during rainy periods — apparently at the expense of foraging (from pasture) and pacing (around the perimeter). The rate of sitting was much lower than that reported for the same birds during rain in the spring. During all climatic conditions, feeding (on concentrate feed provided) and foraging were the most dominant behaviours. Feeding was not significantly affected by rain but the frequency of foraging was reduced. Standing was a common behaviour. There were significant gender differences for standing (males > females) and foraging (females > males). These results show that winter conditions require ostriches to feed and forage at higher rates than during the spring or summer, presumably to consume more energy for thermoregulation. Gender differences in pacing and feeding behaviours previously observed in breeding birds were absent in non-breeding ostriches (presumably because males were not defending territories); although non-breeding males appeared to be more vigilant than females and needed to consume more food. Improvements in ostrich husbandry should take into account the need to provide both adequate shelter and more concentrate rations during the cold weather of winter. Energy requirements will be higher at this time, yet the ability of the birds to forage will be diminished. Without such considerations, ostrich welfare during the winter in northern Europe will be compromised.

Article 9 of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, which came into force on 1 July 1997, requires that vertebrate animals transported more than 50km must be accompanied by at least one attendant possessing appropriate knowledge and ability to care for them. This attendant must have received specific training, or have equivalent practical experience. The rules are to be tightened further. From 1 July 1998, anyone who transports cattle, pigs, sheep, goats or horses on road journeys of 8h or more, or on any rail, air or sea journey, will be required to entrust the care of the animals to staff who have demonstrated that they are qualified to manage them and safeguard their welfare. This may be demonstrated by possession of a qualification approved by MAFF, or through assessment of practical experience either by an independent assessor from a body recognized by MAFF, or by the employer. Self-employed people may, at this stage, assess and certify themselves. Consideration is being given to making it a requirement that all staff taken on after 1 July 2000 be assessed by independent assessors.

There has been concern about the possible effects on marine life of acoustic disturbance from seismic surveys and other operations where acoustic energy is released. Modern large-scale surveys are carried out using towed arrays of ‘air-guns’ - compressed air cylinders which are discharged simultaneously causing a pressure pulse which travels down into the seabed. Little is known about the extent to which these procedures may affect cetaceans. However, being inquisitive and attracted to areas of human activity may increase the risk to these mammals. In the worst case, there is some risk of physical damage if cetaceans are close to discharging air guns, but there is no evidence that this has occurred in UK waters. These guidelines set out procedures to help minimize the risks of acoustic disturbance. Their application is required in some sea areas but member companies of the UK Offshore Operators Association and the International Association for Geophysical Contractors will be applying them in all waters of the UK continental shelf.

In some countries (eg Australia, Canada and the USA) institutional ethical committees, consisting of people with a range of backgrounds, play a major role in regulation of the use of animals in research. Although some organizations in the UK have, in recent years, established committees or other ethical review processes to oversee ethical and other aspects of animal experimentation, there has been no government requirement for this. After debate and consultation on the matter, it has been announced that the Secretary of State now requires that an ethical review process be established and maintained in each establishment designated under Section 6 or 7 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Before 1 April 1999, all such establishments which do not already have viable ethical review processes are now required to develop these, and to explain and test them with ASPA Inspectorate. From that date, a local ethical review process will be required as a standard condition for all work carried out under the ASPA and for breeding and supply establishments.

This long-awaited proposal from the European Commission is based on the Scientific Veterinary Committee's 1996 report on the welfare of laying hens. The proposal is to replace Directive 88/166/EEC, which lays down minimum standards for hens kept in battery cages, with a new Directive covering the welfare of all laying hens. This introduces requirements for the provision of nests, perches and litter for dustbathing, but makes derogations for the continued use of existing cages for several years.

The original Sheep Welfare Code was published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in 1983. In response to a number of recommendations in the Farm Animal Welfare Council's 1994 report on the welfare of sheep, MAFF, the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department and the Welsh Office Agriculture Department have now drafted a revised edition and are consulting on this. As well as seeking to make the report more user-friendly, the authors have placed clearer emphasis on the need for written health and welfare programmes and the importance of good stockmanship; they have also provided detailed advice on some key welfare aspects, such as dealing with lameness and the value of condition scoring in good husbandry.

This report, an update of one published in 1992, reviews divers aspects of the countryside sports industry. It provides data on the number of people in the UK involved in various forms of hunting, shooting and fishing, on the economic value of these activities, and on their relevance to wildlife conservation. It is based on some original survey work but draws heavily on reports and special studies by other organizations such as the Game Conservancy Trust, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, and the Centre for Rural Studies. There is a wealth of information about the current status of the field sports industry in Great Britain. In 1996, it is estimated that: 3.3 million people went fishing; 0.7 million people shot game and wildfowl; 0.21 million people hunted with or followed hounds; 14 500 people stalked deer; and 12 500 people participated in falconry. The annual direct expenditure on these activities was estimated at over £3.8 billion and there was a further £2.4 billion of indirect expenditure. The report provides estimates of a total of 90 000 people being employed directly or indirectly by the industry, and of it generating a revenue of £655 million for the government through taxes.

On 1 July 1999, new European Union (EU) regulations which provide additional welfare protection for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs transported by road on journeys of greater than 8h will come into force. The European Council's new Regulation, which expands provisions under Directive 91/628/EEC, sets out further standards for road vehicles used for long-distance livestock transport. These cover aspects of bedding, feed, access, ventilation, partitions and water supply. The Regulation requires vehicles to be fitted with partitions to enable compartmentalization of space, and that they are equipped to enable direct access to the animals at all times for inspection, care, feeding and watering. There must also be ventilation systems which adequately meet the physiological needs of the animals in the weather conditions under which they are transported - and these must maintain suitable conditions whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. To this end, operators must ensure that temperature is monitored, and provide either a forced ventilation system (details of which are to be set later) or a ventilation system which ensures that a range of temperatures from 5 to 30°C can be maintained. Other points address the provision of feed and water.