Animal category: Cattle

Guide to Good Practice: Welfare at Slaughter

BMPA

Published in 2015

Updated Guide to Good Practice: Welfare at Slaughter, which provides advice on how to improve the treatment of animals at slaughter, complementing UK and EU legislation. The guide is intended for food industry professionals.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Education, Euthanasia

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The role of intrinsic motivation and continuous enhancement on the intention to implement animal welfare practices in dairy farming

Henrike Grotsch, Marcus Mergenthaler, Sarah Kühl, Holger Schulze

Published in 2025

Survey examining farmers' intrinsic motivation, habits and knowledge in relation to the improvement of animal welfare. Policies should encourage a continuous commitment to enhancement, rather than formal programs. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: One Welfare,Societal issues

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Bien-être animal : vers un étiquetage informant les consommateurs ?

Julie Chiron

Published in 2025

Article summarizing the main conclusions of the expert report "Lignes directrices pour l’établissement de référentiels d’étiquetage du bien-être des animaux" (guidelines  for the establishment of animal welfare labeling standards), published by Anses.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Identification, Welfare indicators, Housing, Societal issues

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Observational study: effect of varying transport durations and feed withdrawal on the physiological status and health of dairy calves

van Dijk, Luca L., Siegmann, Susanne, Field, Niamh L., Sugrue, Katie, van Reenen, Cornelis G., Bokkers, Eddie A. M., Conneely, Muireann, Sayers, Gearoid

Published in 2025

Study evaluating the impact of transport and fasting on the physiology and health of unweaned calves. The results show that the physiological changes observed on arrival were related more closely to the duration of feed deprivation rather than that of transport, although muscle fatigue was more marked in calves that had travelled the longest.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Transport

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002435/24: Meat sector unhappy with the Commission's new proposal amending the Regulation on the protection of animals during transport

Question: Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a question from an MEP on the proposed regulations on the protection of animals during transport, with which the meat industry is not pleased. The European Commission defends its proposal for a regulation based on EFSA's scientific opinions and an in-depth impact assessment. Modelling carried out by the Joint Research Centre indicates a negligible impact on consumer prices.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Poultry

Keywords:Animal trade, Societal issues, Transportation

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002402/24: New evidence of breaches of EU law during transport of Irish calves

Question: Anja Hazekamp (The Left). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a report from an MEP of serious breaches of the rules governing the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to Europe, including falsified documents and unsuitable conditions. The Commission, which is concerned by these practices, is following up the case, and the Irish authorities have launched an investigation into the animal collection center involved.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal trade, Pain, Euthanasia, Abuse, Transport

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002112/24: Serious concerns regarding animal cruelty during animal transport in Austria

Question: Anja Hazekamp (The Left). Answer: Mr Varhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer to a qiuestion from an  MEP on two recent cases of animal cruelty during transport in Austria. The Commission points out that it is for Member States to apply EU rules, and that new, stricter rules governing exports are currently under discussion.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal trade, Pain, Education, Abuse, Mutilation, Transport

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The Interface of Caretaker and Animal Well-being As a Critical Component of Sustainability

Edwards-Callaway, L. N. & Sullivan, P. A.

Published in 2024

Study exploring welfare, both human and animal, as one of the pillars of sustainability in the farmed animal industry. This pillar is often neglected in favor of the environmental and economic pillars.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Societal issues, Environment, Welfare indicators, Living environment, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships, Stress, livestock farming systemsBehavioural disorders

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Animaux d’élevage : prendre en compte leurs ressentis

Rachel Degrande, Juliette Cognié, Véronique Deiss, Angélique Favreau-Peigné, Valérie Fillon, Plotine Jardat, Christine Leterrier, Frédéric Lévy, Odile Petit, Freddie-Jeanne Richard

Published in 2024

Article exploring the evolution of the concept of animal welfare and the scientific basis for consideration of animals' cognitive and emotional capacities.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Learning, training, Consciousness, Welfare indicators, Memory, Metacognition, Fear, Cognitive processes, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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A Review of Animal-Based Welfare Indicators for Calves and Cattle

Harris, S.; Shallcrass, M.; Cohen, S.

Published in 2024

Study of calf and cattle welfare indicators, which are classified as behavioral, physiological or physical, and rated for effectiveness, cost and ease of use. These indicators can be used to assess the health and emotional state of a herd. They are also a useful framework for research and welfare improvement in cattle production to meet societal expectations. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, One Welfare

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