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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).

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News

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

INRAE Productions Animales logoCognition-emotionsanimal husbandry human-animal relationshipsPrecision farming and AIAnimal welfare assessment and labelingHousing and enrichmentPain managementBien-être animal : avancées scientifiques et innovations pour des systèmes d’élevage durables
January 9, 2026

Bien-être animal : avancées scientifiques et innovations pour des systèmes d’élevage durables

Document type: special issue, INRAE Productions Animales Authors: of researchers Preview: , respect for animal welfare is a strong demand from society with regard to...
Violaine Colson
InvertebratesPain managementTransportation, Slaughter, CollectionRevolution on our plates: the United Kingdom wants to ban the cooking of live lobsters, explanations
January 2, 2026

Révolution dans nos assiettes : le Royaume-Uni veut interdire la cuisson des homards vivants, explications

Document type: published in RSE Magazine Author: Prat Preview: This bill Preview: by the observation that crustaceans feel pain.
Violaine Colson
Reporterre logoanimal husbandry human-animal relationshipsInvertebratesPain managementTransportation, Slaughter, CollectionEye removal, a cruel practice widespread in shrimp farms
December 24, 2025

L’arrachage des yeux, une pratique cruelle généralisée dans les élevages de crevettes

Document type: published in Reporterre Author: Chauvin Preview: a shrimp from the bowl, crack its shell between your fingers, dip it in sauce, and devour it...
Violaine Colson
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FRCAW NEWSLETTER

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

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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.

Online guide for selecting a depopulation method in the event of avian influenza

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: FRCAW and EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Animal categories: Poultry

Due date: 10/2025

DOI: 10.17180/6amz-r692

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Waiting area for goat kids before slaughter: case study 

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: Animal Welfare Office/DGAL - French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Animal categories: Goats

Delivery date: 09/2025

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Cat housing surface area and welfare 

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: Animal Welfare Office/DGAL - French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Animal categories: Cats

Delivery date: 09/2024

DOI: 10.17180/fyn3-af38

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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.

The Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare

Crustacean Compassion

Regulation/Certification

Published in 2024

Rencontre animal welfare 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

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Educational resources

Do you need resources to design animal welfare training courses?
Do you want to train yourself in animal welfare?

Dehorning young calves: supporting farmers in pain management

Anne Aupiais (Idele)

Published in 2025

Ruminant livestock farming and animal welfare

Juliette Ferial (Livestock Institute), Luc Mirabito (Livestock Institute), Renée de Crémoux (Livestock Institute)

Published in 2025

Soins au veau nouveau-né

Boris Boubet

Published in 2025

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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.

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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

The French Observatory for the Protection of Domestic Carnivores (OCAD)

FRCAW is OCAD's expert advisory body. It responds to queries from the OCAD Steering Committee, using all information available via open access or supplied by OCAD members, and referring in particular to the I-CAD database.

Learn moreOCAD's work