The Future of Animal Welfare – Science, Standards and Social License

What does good animal welfare look like in a time of rapid scientific progress, shifting societal expectations, and growing demand for transparency? This session will explore how the concept of animal welfare is evolving in New Zealand and globally—shaped by new research, changing regulations, and the increasingly critical role of public perception.

We’ll take a closer look at how welfare is defined and assessed across different contexts, from production animals and working animals to companion and research species. The discussion will also consider the balance between scientific evidence and ethical considerations, and how this balance informs the development of policy, standards, and compliance systems.

As technology transforms how we interact with animals and monitor their wellbeing, and as public interest in animal welfare continues to grow, we’ll examine the challenges and opportunities facing both industry and government. What role does social license play? How do we stay ahead of global expectations? And what does it take to maintain trust while continually improving welfare outcomes?

Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of animal welfare—and the collaborative effort needed to navigate what’s next.

Tuesday 19 August

4.00pm - 5.30pm

Mrs O’s Cafe, Lincoln University

We hope to see you there!

Timings

4.00pm - Guests arrive for networking

4.10pm - Introduction for Lincoln University Provost, Prof. Chad Hewitt

4.15pm - Overview from Lincoln University about what LU is doing in this space

4.20pm - Presentation from Keynote Speaker

4:45pm - Q&A Session

5.00pm - Networking

5.30pm - Event finishes