Jane Howorth, founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust, received an MBE for her work with battery hens.

Four receive awards for their contributions to welfare and science
 
The 2016 New Year's Honours list recognises four individuals for their varied contributions to animal welfare.

Recipients are the UK's chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens, environmentalist Jennifer Lonsdale, Professor William Donachie and founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust, Jane Howorth.

Mr Gibbens was awarded a CBE for his services to animal welfare and the veterinary profession. He is responsible for protecting the country from animal disease and ensuring animal welfare standards are high.

Commenting on his award, he said: "I have enjoyed a varied career in government and I am honoured to receive this award. Whilst I am personally very pleased, I feel that it also recognises the importance and value of the work done by vets working across government in a wide variety of challenging roles to protect animal welfare and animal and public health."

BVA's president Sean Wensley congratulated the CVO, saying: "BVA is delighted to see veterinary surgeons recognised in the New Year’s Honours list, and it is particularly gratifying to see Nigel recognised for the critical role he has played at the heart of government, advising on issues crucial to animal health and welfare as well as public health."

Meanwhile, activist Jennifer Lonsdale was awarded an OBE for services to the environment, particularly the protection of whales and dolphins.

Lonsdale is a co-founder of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), which has contributed towards many legislative changes in its 30-year history. It has built on covert investigations to include work protecting the world's endangered forests, oceans and animals.

As EIA's director, Lonsdale continues to work on the Oceans Campaign, which seeks protection for whales, dolphins and porpoises and also tackles environmental threats such as climate change, pollution and marine litter.

Professor William Donachie received an OBE for services to animal and veterinary biosciences. He joined the Moredun Research Institute in 1978 after achieving a first class degree in microbiology.

In 1984 he gained a PhD for studies on experimental vaccines for Mannheimia haemolytic infections in ruminants. He was managing director of Moredun Scientific from 2012-14, having been deputy director of the institute for 14 years prior to that. Today he is chair of the veterinary advisory committee for the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

An MBE has been awarded to the founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust, Jane Howorth, for her work with battery hens. Set up in 2005, the charity began as a 'one woman and a van' operation. Today it is a national organisation with more than 450 volunteers.

The trust has now found pet homes for nearly half a million ex-commercial laying hens and has also been instrumental in persuading major retailers to switch to free range eggs.

On being awarded an MBE, Howorth said: "I am surprised, thrilled and honoured to have been recognised for the work that we do to improve hen welfare.

"But this award isn’t for me as an individual, it recognises all those who have helped make the British Hen Welfare Trust what it is today; our fantastic staff, volunteers, and supporters, as well as those working in the farming, manufacturing and retail industries working to achieve the same aims."

Image courtesy of the British Hen Welfare Trust