Animal category: Fish

Report summarizing the main welfare problems faced by broilers, fish, pigs, dairy cows and rabbits in intensive farming and the main shortcomings of current European legislation in this respect.

Scientific article showing that the cleaner fish (Labroides dimidiatus) is able to recognize itself in a mirror and in a photograph, and to distinguish itself from its relatives, which proves that it has the necessary cognitive capacities to build a mental image of itself.

Presentation of the key points of a report from Essere Animali on effective stunning methods for fish, a key element for the welfare of fish not included in the recently introduced Italian "Sustainable Aquaculture" certification system. The report emphasizes the low investment cost of acquiring the necessary equipment and the possibility of financing this through the Common Fisheries Policy.

Report presenting Eurogroup for Animals's vision for the future of agriculture by 2050. It includes the reversal of the plant/animal protein ratio in human food; a net decrease in the number of farm animals; a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the food industry; improved public health; and greater consideration for the feelings of animals.

Report showing that European countries with the lowest antibiotic use are also those with the highest minimum legal standards for animal welfare, reducing the routine systematic use of antibiotics to a minimum, with 90% of antibiotics administered on an individual basis. It makes recommendations for policy, reduction targets, and animal husbandry practices  that can reduce antibiotic use in pig and poultry production.

Answer to a question on whether the Commission intends to include the issue of animal welfare in the report on the functioning of the common fisheries policy.

Scientific review on the current status of welfare assessment methods in aquaculture, comparing them with those for terrestrial animals, and offering recommendations for future research that would allow account to be taken of fish welfare at the level of the individual.

Scientific paper evaluating the effects of different salt concentrations in the transport water of Nile tilapia. It concludes that the addition of 4 g/L salt to transport water reduces stress, liver damage, oxidative stress and hydromineral imbalances in Nile tilapia.

CIWF report promoting greater consideration of farmed fish welfare and sustainable production of aquatic species at the bottom of the food chain in extensive systems to ensure the sustainability of European aquaculture.

Opinion piece examining 5 case studies in the aquaculture sector to arrive at a view on how best to reconcile environmental protection and animal-welfare objectives in practice.