Discipline: Zootechnics

The use of animal-based measures at slaughter for assessing the welfare of beef cattle on farm: EFSA AHAW Network exercise

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Marika Vitali, Gizella Aboagye, Sean Ashe, Chiara Fabris, Yves Van de Stede, Denise Candiani

Published in 2023

Report listing those animal-based measures that the AHAW network considers useful to record and monitor in abattoirs as a means to assess the on-farm welfare of cattle. The information contained in this report will be used to draw up EFSA's scientific opinion on the welfare of cattle on farm, due in 2025.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Carcass quality, Stress, Livestock farming system

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European Parliament: written answer to question E-002695/23: The continued practice of tail docking in Europe

Question: Auélia Beigneux (ID). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on how the European Commission intends to enforce the 1991 directive on the protection of pigs, with regard to tail docking in particular, and whether it has put measures in place to help farmers conform with the regulations. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Pain, Mutilation, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Stress

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Comment les volailles perçoivent et interprètent leur environnement : recherche scientifique et exemples d’application

Rachel Degrande, Vitor Hugo Bessa Ferreira, Vanessa Guesdon, Ludovic Calandreau

Published in 2023

Scientific review emphasising that poultry have varied and well-developed senses, that they interact with each other, that they are capable of learning, and that they have  a much wider repertoire of cognitive skills than is often assumed.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Learning, training, Enrichment, Memory, Living environment, Cognitive processes

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Sheep Welfare Strategy

Ruminant Helath & Welfare

Published in 2023

Presentation of the 6 objectives that make up the cattle welfare strategy designed by Ruminant Health & Welfare in conjunction with the entire British cattle industry.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Living environment, livestock farming system

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European Parliament: written answer to Question E-002772/23: EU legislation on use of hazardous substances in electrical equipment: consequences for animal welfare and Adaptation of the animal to the environment conservation

Question: Gianna Gancia (ID). Answer: Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on the lack of regulation of heating spotlights emitting UV-A/B radiation, used for breeding and keeping exotic animals.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Wildlife, NAC, Reptiles

Keywords:Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Living environment, Stress

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On-farm slaughter and emergency slaughter in Sweden: Prerequisites for reducing food loss of pigs and cattle

Rasmus Björn & Albin Kauppi

Published in 2023

Master's report on the attitudes and interests of abattoirs and the main stakeholders in the Swedish livestock industry regarding the establishment of or increase in the use of on-farm slaughtering and emergency on-farm slaughtering.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Human-animal relationships

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Pig olfaction: the potential impact and use of odors in commercial pig husbandry

Sarah-Lina Aagaard Schild, Maria Vilain Rørvang

Published in 2023

Scientific review on pig olfaction looking at the current state of knowledge on chemicals in a pig's environment, olfactory organs, olfactory detection and acuity, behavioral responses to odors, aversive odors, responses to new odors, attractive odors and the use of odors as a management tool in commercial pig production.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Key word:Enrichment, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Stress

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Current Knowledge on the Transportation by Road of Cattle, including Unweaned Calves

Kelly Buckham-Sporer, Bernadette Earley, Sonia Marti

Published in 2023

Scientific review of the physical and psychological stressors involved in road transport for cattle of all ages, and the consequences of transport-related stress on animal welfare, health and performance.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Transport

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Olfactory Stimulation as Environmental Enrichment for Domestic Horses - A Review

A.C. Bini de Lima, V.C. Sebastião da Fé, M.S. Palermo Hernandes, V.M. Oliveira dos Santos

Published in 2023

Scientific review describing the anatomical features of the equine olfactory system, the physiology of odor detection, how stress can interfere with this process, and how olfactory stimulation can be used to enrich the environment of domestic horses.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Caprines

Key word:Enrichment, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Stress

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European Parliament: written answer to question E-002692/2023 : Will the revision of animal welfare legislation occur under this mandate?

Question: Annika Bruna (ID), Aurélia Beigneux (ID). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on the European Commission's intentions concerning the completion of the reform of EU animal welfare regulations that has now been postponed until after the 2024 European elections.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Societal issues, Human-animal relationships

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