Document type : Scientific review

Beyond Minimizing Suffering: A Comparative Review of Positive Welfare Assessment in Fish and Terrestrial Farmed Animals

Papadaki K, Samaras A, Hoorweg FA, and Pavlidis M

Published in 2026

Review highlighting the growing interest in positive animal welfare indicators, but noting a lack of research in aquaculture.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Keel bone damage and access to functional resources and housing areas in laying hens: a systematic thematic review

Stefanie Petow, Helen Louton, Serge Alindekon

Published in 2026

A study showing that sternum injuries in laying hens are associated with a lower frequency of access to perches and elevated resources, without necessarily reducing the duration of their use.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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The Effects of Beak Trimming on the Behavior, Morphology, and Physiology of Poultry: A Systematic Review

Kliphuis S, Tiemann I, Wever KE, Fijn L, Goerlich VC.

Published in 2026

Systematic review showing that the effects of beak trimming on poultry welfare vary: the practice may reduce mortality, but it leads to morphological and behavioral changes, corroborating inconsistent potential benefits. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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The public perception of animal welfare in dairy cow farming: a systematic literature review approach

Masi M, Dolfi E, Vecchio Y, Zambianchi L, Mammi LME.

Published in 2026

Meta-analysis showing that the public primarily associates the welfare of dairy cows with the possibility of expressing natural behaviors, particularly through access to pasture and maintaining cow-calf contact, whereas certain farming practices are viewed negatively.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Review: How Do We Measure Animal Welfare On Farm? Indicators, Proxies, and Gold Standards

C.M. Dwyer, G.H.M. Jørgensen, J.-M. Gautier

Published in 2026

Literature review concluding that the assessment of animal welfare in livestock production should prioritize animal-based measures — particularly behavioral indicators — in order to better understand an animal’s mental state and daily experiences. Current assessment methods still fail to incorporate positive welfare and quality of life sufficiently.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Sustainable livestock farming that respects animal health and welfare

panel of authors

Published in 2026

A special issue of the journal *Innovations Agronomiques* featuring nine articles on the topic of sustainable livestock farming that respects animal welfare and health

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Foie Gras Production: A Literature Review on the Welfare Implications of Force-Feeding of Ducks

Driessen, B.; Pellens, L.; Nivelle, B.; Van Rossem, K.; Buyse, J.

Published in 2026

A scientific review highlighting significant concerns regarding the welfare of ducks subjected to force-feeding, particularly due to digestive lesions, liver hypertrophy and dysfunction, locomotor disorders, and increased mortality.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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Animal Welfare in the Age of Digitalization: Computer Vision in the Context of Foundational Structure

Bosschaert, M.T., Gremmen, B.

Published in 2026

Article highlighting the need to examine ethical issues beyond the scope of livestock farming practices that are raised by the use of Computer Vision and AI to monitor animal welfare. 

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Is organic livestock farming more welfare-friendly than conventional livestock farming? – A systematic literature review in terms of animal health, welfare, and management

Wagner, K., March, S., Haager, D., Brinkmann, J.

Published in 2026

Meta-analysis showing that organic farming does not consistently have a more positive effect on animal welfare than conventional farming. The results would appear to indicate that  factors relating to management have a greater influence on animal welfare than the farming system itself.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, All Animals, Poultry

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Decapod Crustaceans in Animal Welfare Law: Fragmentation, Gaps, and Emerging Models in Europe and Oceania

Fruscella L, Sicuso DA, Vitale D, Passantino A.

Published in 2026

Scientific review, highlighting the misalignment between current scientific evidence on the vulnerability of decapod crustaceans and the limited legal protection they receive, advocating for a harmonized regulatory framework based on the science.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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