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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.

Le Monde newspaper logoRegulation
July 18, 2024

Ursula von der Leyen reconduite à la tête de la Commission européenne grâce au soutien des écologistes

Document type Article published in Le Monde (subscriber edition) Authors: Virginie Malingre and Philippe Jacqué Preview: The outgoing president was elected with 401 votes. While she...
FRCAW
Idele logoHousing and Enrichment
July 16, 2024

Enrichissement du milieu ou aires d’exercice : mieux connaître le milieu de vie des chevrettes pour proposer des solutions adaptées

Document type : Idele survey announcement Authors : Renée de Crémoux, Marianne Berthelot Preview: Whether it's environmental enrichment or access to exercise areas, livestock farmers...
FRCAW
ITAVI website logoConferences-Seminars-Training
July 16, 2024

Evaluation du bien-être animal en pisciculture – Webinaire 24 octobre 10h00-12h00

Document type Itavi webinar announcement Author : Itavi Preview: Presentation of the "EBENE® Trout" approach and pilot tool for assessing the well-being of...
FRCAW
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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.

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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Protection of farmed fish at slaughter

Document type: Opinion

Requested by: FRCAW

Animal categories: Fish

Delivery date: 03/2024

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Characteristics and needs of pigs

Document type Thematic dossier

Requested by: FRCAW

Animal categories: Pigs

Delivery date: 11/2023

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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?

Guides des indicateurs clés de bien-être (KWI) des poules pondeuses 

IPWA

Published in 2024

Turkey Key Welfare Indicator (KWI) Guides

IPWA

Published in 2024

Broiler Key Welfare Indicator (KWI) Guides

IPWA

Published in 2024

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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