Advancing pig welfare through the five freedoms framework

Professor Elisabeth grosse Beilage, DVM, PhD, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany

Prof. Elisabeth grosse Beilage, PhD, is a veterinarian at the University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. Her current research encompasses various topics relating to animal welfare in pigs, particularly studies of the clinical course of various diseases and injuries and the evaluation of criteria determining the point at which recovery becomes unlikely and euthanasia essential. These studies encompasses the recognition and evaluation of pain and suffering in spontaneously diseased/ injured pigs. Her research expertise extends to the fields of epidemiology, control and eradication of infectious pig diseases and herd health management.

Professor Mari Heinonen, PhD, University of Helsinki, Finland

Mari Heinonen works as the Professor in Swine Medicine in University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Medicine. She holds a Ph.D. in swine medicine and is Diplomate of European College of Porcine Health Management. Her research topics have covered pig diseases, disease prevention, medicine use for pigs, and pig welfare and behavior such as tail biting and castration of male pigs. She has also large animal practice background and a long history of university teaching, both practical and theoretical. In addition, she has supervised several veterinary students preparing their licentiate studies and Ph.D. researchers making their theses.