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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.

Scientific Reports logoOne WelfareThe first evaluation framework based on the one welfare concept in extensive broiler rearing systems
22 April 2026

First evaluation framework based on the one welfare concept in extensive broiler rearing systems

Document type: scientific article published in Scientific Reports Authors: Rocchi, L., Mattioli, S., Collin, A. C. Bonnefous, L. Warin, F. Tuyttens, P. Thobe, M. Re, C. Castellini Abstract…
Reviews in Aquaculture logoAnimal welfare assessment and labellingExisting Soundscapes and the Impact of Noise on the Welfare of Farmed Salmonids: A Review
22 April 2026

Existing Soundscapes and the Impact of Noise on the Welfare of Farmed Salmonids: A Review

Document type: scientific synthesis published in Reviews in Aquaculture Authors: Kathy Overton, Tim Dempster, Marco A. Vindas, Frode Oppedal, Luke T. Barrett Abstract in French (translation): Existing soundscapes…
Housing and Enrichment Do windows matter in poultry housing? What welfare and behavior tell us
22 April 2026

Do windows matter in poultry housing? What welfare and behavior tell us

Document type: scientific review published in Modern Poultry Author: Tarek Youssef Abstract in French (translation): Do windows play a role in poultry housing…
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FRCAW NEWSLETTER

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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?

The most effective environmental enrichment for rabbit welfare on the farm

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2026

On-farm hatching to improve broiler welfare from the start

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2026

Elevated platforms in broiler chicken barns

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2026

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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