Cow comfort, behavior and welfare with specific reference to dairy cattle: A review
Published in 2024
Review on optimizing dairy cow comfort
Document Types: Scientific review
Animal categories: Bovines
Discipline: Ergonomics
A critical review on the welfare of Japanese quail in cage-free housing: Current knowledge and future perspectives
Published in 2025
Scientific synthesis highlighting the lack of knowledge and regulations on cage-free systems for Japanese quail. It reviews the essential behavioral needs of the species and identifies gaps in group management, equipment design and dealing with agonistic behaviors. Integration of AI and genomic selection is proposed to support an efficient and ethical transition to alternative breeding systems.
Document Types: Scientific review
Animal categories: Poultry
Assemblée nationale : réponse à la question n°5909 : Transition vers un élevage hors-cage en France
Published in 2025
Question from a Member of Parliament on support for farmers to achieve an effective transition to cage-free farming in France. The government points out that cage-free farming is growing in France. It provides supporte for this process through assistance with capital expenditure and national coordination, while calling for harmonization at European level so that farms can remain competitive.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
European Parliament: Answer to Question E-001189/25: Access to open air areas for young organic poultry
Published in 2025
European parliamentary question on the need for flexibility and practical solutions in responding to the the requirement for young organic poultry to be given access to outdoor areas, so that animal welfare needs and structural or health constraints can be reconciled. The Commission reminds the deputy that Regulation (EU) 2018/848 provides for continuous outdoor access for at least one-third of a bird's life, sets minimum surface areas for modular areas and provides for transitional periods in which to adapt facilities.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Poultry
L’enrichissement du milieu de vie
Published in 2025
Article on environmental enrichment in captive animals. Conditions in captivity restrict the satisfaction of animals' physiological and ethological needs. Lack of stimulation and stressful practices can be detrimental to their welfare and affect the quality of scientific research carried out on these animals.
Document Types: Scientific review
Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Rodents, Poultry
Developing appropriate environmental enrichment strategies for broiler breeders
Published in 2025
Study of environmental enrichment preferences in broiler broodstock reared commercially. The results show a clear preference for platform perches and interest in hanging observation balls. Additional dust baths proved of little use under well-maintained litter conditions.
Document Types: Scientific paper
Animal categories: Poultry
Guide to Good Practice: Welfare at Slaughter
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 measurement, Education, Euthanasia
An updated review on the effect of lighting on broilers and the environment of commercial houses
Published in 2025
Article reviewing the effects of lighting (color, intensity, duration, source) on broiler performance and welfare between 2018 and 2024.
Document Types: Scientific review
Animal categories: Poultry
Keywords:Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing
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
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
Effects of space allowance on behaviour during lairage, stress physiology, skin lesion scores, and meat quality of market pigs transported in an actively ventilated vehicle in the winter
Published in 2024
Study evaluating the impact of winter transport on pig pwelfare and meat quality. The results show that the location of pigs in the vehicle (upper vs. lower deck) has a greater effect than the space available, influencing their behavior, meat quality and certain blood parameters. Pigs transported in the upper deck are exposed to colder temperatures, affecting muscle brightness and behavior.
Document Types: Scientific paper
Animal categories: Porcines
Keywords:Animal-based measurement, Carcass quality, Stress, Transport, Behavioural disorders
