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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.

Animal welfare assessment and labellingBeyond Minimizing Suffering: A Comparative Review of Positive Welfare Assessment in Fish and Terrestrial Farmed Animals
22 October 2026

Beyond minimizing suffering: a comparative review of positive welfare assessment in fish and terrestrial farmed animals

animal welfare Positive well-being is emerging as an increasingly important component of sustainable production systems, thereby pushing the boundaries of well-being assessment beyond mere…
Animal welfare assessment and labellingAquatic Life Institute Announces 2026 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark, Reveals Progress for Animal Welfare
22 October 2026

Aquatic Life Institute Announces 2026 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark, Reveals Progress for Welfare

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has today published the fifth edition of its Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark report, which remains the world’s only evidence-based tool ...
OABA logoAnimal welfare assessment and labellingQuality labels and certifications related to animal welfare
22 October 2026

Les labels et signes de qualité concernant le bien-être animal

Of the existing SIQO labels in France (Signes Officiels de Qualité et d'Origine des produits alimentaires), the two best known are the "Agriculture Biologique" (AB) label and the Label Rouge (red label).
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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.

Effects of transport on the welfare of calves under five weeks of age

Document type: Opinion

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

Animal categories: Calves

Delivery date: 10/2025

DOI: 10.17180/hgr3-8h97

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Loading density of poultry during transport

Document type: Opinion

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

Animal categories: Poultry

Delivery date: 11/2025

DOI: 10.17180/kncj-rx25

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Loading density of cattle during transport

Document type: Opinion

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

Animal categories: Cattle

Delivery date: 05/2025

DOI: 10.17180/cj33-by25

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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?

Conséquences des procédures douloureuses et stressantes chez les bovins

EURCAW Ruminants & Equines

Published in 2026

Conséquences des procédures douloureuses et stressantes chez les bovins

EURCAW Ruminants & Equines

Published in 2026

Some examples of labels and criteria

OABA

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