Antonio Velarde

Dr. Antonio Velarde holds a Veterinarian Sciences degree (1995), Master (1998) and PhD (2000) in Animal Production, and Master (2008) in Science and Welfare of Laboratory Animals from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. From 2011 he is Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine and member of the Animal Health and Animal Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Currently is head of the Animal Welfare Subprogram in IRTA (Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology-Spain). Research topics include development of animal welfare assessment systems on farm and at slaughter, risk assessment for animal welfare, stunning prior to slaughter with gas mixtures, religious slaughter, renovation and promoting high quality control posts during long transports, the role of cognitive bias in animal emotions, and alternatives to the castration of pigs.