The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) - the independent advisory body to the UK Agriculture Ministers - has, over the years, issued a number of important reports on the welfare of farm animals. The latest in the series, the Report on the Welfare of Sheep, was published in April 1994 and is based upon a two year investigation carried out by the seven members of the FAWC Sheep Advisory Group. Particular attention was paid to the extensive husbandry component of the sheep industry although all types of systems - extensive, intensive, and mixed (intensive parts of the year, extensive at others) - were examined. Sixty-nine recommendations to improve the welfare of sheep are made. Some of these recommendations will require alterations to the legislation; others might be addressed by changes in the Codes of Recommendation for the Welfare of Sheep made under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968; others are more advisory and may influence the sheep industry to modify some of its husbandry practices.