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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.

Idele logoConferences-Seminars-Training
April 30, 2024

Formation « Maîtriser les boiteries en troupeaux de vaches laitières »

Document type Training announcement published on the Idele website Author: Idele Summary: 
Violaine Colson
Animal magazine logo Animal husbandry and Human-animal relationships
April 22, 2024

Barriers and drivers of farmers to provide outdoor access in pig farming systems: a qualitative study

Document type : qualitative study published in Animal Auteurs : S. Brajon, C. Tallet, E. Merlot, V. Lollivier Résumé en français (traduction) : 
Violaine Colson
ArthropodsSeminars and training
April 22, 2024

AWRN-Funded Workshop on Farmed Invertebrate Welfare

Document type Webinar announcement published on the Animal Welfare Research Network (AWRN) website Author: AWRN 
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.

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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Canine educational practices and tools

Document type: Opinion

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

Animal categories: Dogs

Delivery date: 07/2022

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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?

Indicator factsheet for assessing the state of consciousness in broilers

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2024

Iceberg indicator factsheet for assessing foot lesions at slaughter in laying hens

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2024

Iceberg indicator factsheet for assessing Foot Pad dermatitis (FPD) in Broiler Chicken

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

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