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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).

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News

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

Logo of EURCAW-Ruminants & EquinesFarm management and human-animal relationsAnimal welfare assessment and labelingAnimal welfare initiativesHousing and enrichmentAnimal healthTransport, slaughter and collectionNewsletter - EURCAW Ruminants & Equines - Volume 08
January 14, 2025

Newsletter – EURCAW Ruminants & Equines – Volume 08

Document type EURCAW-Ruminants & Equines Newsletter 8 Author: EURCAW-Ruminants & Equines 
Scientific Reports logoPrecision breeding and AIPain managementComparison between AI and human expert performance in acute pain assessment in sheep
January 3, 2025

Comparison between AI and human expert performance in acute pain assessment in sheep

Document type Scientific article published in Scientific Reports Authors: Marcelo Feighelstein, Stelio P. Luna, Nuno O. Silva, Pedro E. Trindade, Ilan Shimshoni, Dirk van der Linden &...
Animal welfare assessment and labellingMeasuring on-farm welfare in rabbits: a review with emphasis on animal-based indicators
December 30, 2024

Measuring on-farm welfare in rabbits: a review with emphasis on animal-based indicators

Document type : scientific synthesis published in World Rabbit Science Authors : Trocino A, Tolini C. Résumé en français (traduction) : Measurer le bien-être à la ferme chez les...
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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.

Cat housing surface area and welfare 

Document type: Opinion

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

Pet categories: Cats

Date delivered: 09/2024

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Document type: Opinion

Animal categories: Pigs

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French analysis of EFSA opinion on pig welfare

Document type: Opinion

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

Animal categories: Pigs

Delivery date: 04/2024

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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?

Data sheet on trout welfare assessment

ITAVI

Published in 2023

Understanding the sensory perception of small ruminants

Chambers of Agriculture

Published in 2023

Handling and transporting small ruminants

Chambers of Agriculture

Published in 2023

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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