American Humane Association has announced that Candace Croney, PhD, has been named to the Scientific Advisory Committee of the American Humane Certified programme. Dr Croney is a renowned expert in applied animal behaviour, with an emphasis on animal learning and welfare. She works as an associate professor of animal behaviour and bioethics in the department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at the Ohio State University.

Tim Amlaw, Vice President of the Farm Animal Program for American Humane Association, commented: "We are thrilled to have an animal science expert of Dr Croney's calibre join our Scientific Advisory Committee. Her knowledge and expertise in the field of animal behavior and well-being will be tremendously beneficial to our advisory committee as we continue to establish and refine best practices and standards for the humane treatment of farm animals all over the world."

The American Humane Certified programme is the fastest growing, independent animal welfare label program in the country. The programme's standards are reviewed regularly by the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure that industry advancements and best practices are part of its science-based welfare standards.

Dr Croney's background will be highly applicable to her new advisory role. Her research and teaching efforts focus on the effects of rearing environments and enrichment on animal behaviour and welfare, as well as the ethical implications of animal care decisions and public perceptions of animal agriculture. Her research on farm animal cognition has been featured in national and international broadcast programs by National Geographic and the BBC, among others.

Dr Croney was awarded the Outstanding New Professor Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State in 2003 for her teaching on Contentious and Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture. She has served as an animal welfare advisor to the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, Bob Evans Farms, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, the Northwest Sustainable Dairy Program and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. She is currently the US Regional Secretary of the International Society of Applied Ethology.