Discipline: Veterinary

Audit report assessing the effectiveness of official controls to protect the welfare of cattle in France. While the audit concludes overall that the system of animal welfare controls on cattle farms features competent staff, appropriate guidance and coordination, and effective implementation of comprehensive inspections, the implementation of risk-based planning is inadequate in some departmental directorates, as it fails to take account of relevant factors such as activities carried out by operators (dehorning, tethering). The absence of verification procedures prevents authorities from being able to demonstrate that controls are achieving their objectives. The report contains recommendations for the competent authorities.