Skip to main content
French Reference Centre for Animal Welfare logo

Bringing together experts in research, development and training
to support animal welfare

The French Reference Centre for Animal Welfare brings together experts in research, development and training in order to enhance and disseminate knowledge, innovations and know-how and to facilitate the integration of animal welfare in the design of sustainable farming systems (farm animals, pets, captive wildlife). Its establishment was one of the major actions in France's strategy for Animal Welfare (2016-2020).

Explore the Knowledge Hub
for animal welfare

News

Discover the scientific, technical and regulatory news on animal welfare selected by the FRCAW's experts.

European Parliament logoRegulation
March 10, 2023

European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-004070/22: Production of foetal bovine serum in the EU

Document type Written answer to Question E-004070/2022 by the European Commission Authors: Question: Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE) Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the...
FRCAW
Animals magazine logo Ethics-sociology-philosophy Animal Welfare Assessment and Labelling
March 8, 2023

Natural Behaviour Is Not Enough: Farm Animal Welfare Needs Modern Answers to Tinbergen's Four Questions

Document type : position paper published in Animals Author: Marian Stamp Dawkins 
FRCAW
PLoS ONE logoEthics-Sociology-Philosophy
March 8, 2023

Systematically analysing the acceptability of pig farming systems with different animal welfare levels when considering intra-sustainability trade-offs: Are citizens willing to compromise?

Document type A scientific article published in PLoS ONE Authors: Aurelia Schütz , Gesa Busch, Winnie Isabel Sonntag Abstract: Systematic analysis of the acceptability of animal husbandry systems in...
FRCAW
See all news

FRCAW NEWSLETTER

Free monthly newsletter containing a selection of the latest news on animal welfare picked out by experts from the FRCAW

Sign up to receive the newsletterPrevious newsletters

Scientific and technical expertise: formal reports, opinions etc.

The chief mission of the FRCAW is to provide scientific and technical expert advice to government, associated sectors, societies and any other actor involved in the keeping of animals, on matters concerning animal protection and the welfare of animals dependent on humans.

Logo FRCAW

Opinion on canine educational practices and tools and their impact on the welfare of dogs

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: BBEA/DGAL - French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Animal categories: Canine

Delivery date: 07/2022

Learn more
Logo FRCAW

Contribution to obligatory health visits in the pig industry, 2023-2024

Document type: Scientific and technical advice

Requested by: DGAL - French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Animal categories: Pigs

Delivery date: 07/2022

Learn more
Logo FRCAW

Welfare of domestic carnivores at events

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: BBEA/DGAL - French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Delivery date: 12/2021

Learn more
View all available published expert advice

Knowledge Hub

Articles, opinions, books, summaries, good practice guides, regulations and certifications are among the hundreds of reference documents on animal welfare available on this platform.

Rencontre BEA au Salon International de l’Agriculture 2023 : Révision de la réglementation sur le bien-être animal : des initiatives françaises à porter à l’Europe – présentations des intervenants

FRCAW

Published in 2023

Renouvellement de la convention-cadre du Centre national de référence pour le bien-être animal

INRAE

Published in 2023

Assessing welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score

Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Ida Sofie Thuesen, Helena Mejer, Jørgen Steen Agerholm, Stine Thorsø Nielsen, Pikka Jokelainen, Stig Milan Thamsborg, Peter Sandøe

Scientific paper

Published in 2023

View all documents

Animal welfare: what is it ?

An animal's well-being, its state of mind, its needs, expectations and emotions are the key elements of animal welfare that concern the FRCAW, based on the expert definition produced by the Anses in 2018.

Learn more

What we do

The FRCAW provides collective expertise, pulling together key scientific and technical evidence to support public authorities and economic and social actors in order to improve the account taken of the welfare of animals under human control (farm animals, pets, captive wildlife).

About usOur activities