Keywords: Living environment

Answer to a question on the possible funds that the Commission plans to grant to Member States to set up shelters or sanctuaries adapted to the needs of wild animals from travelling circuses at the point when the planned total bans come into force in these countries.

Scientific review of the detrimental behaviours and health risks that can result from sub-optimal housing and/or rearing conditions in systems offering an alternative to cages for laying hens. Due to the increased social interaction, the risk of harmful behaviours and infectious diseases is increased. Preventive monitoring of the behaviour and health of hens is therefore needed.

Scientific paper to evaluate the welfare benefits of raised beds and straw bales for fast-growing broilers as a function of stocking density. It confirms that environmental enrichment improves welfare at all stocking densities, and that reducing stocking density is a powerful lever for improving welfare.

Scientific editorial reminding readers of our ethical and social duty to ensure the welfare of animals in general, and of grazing animals in particular. It recalls how cattle have evolved on grasslands and have adapted to grazing conditions. It identifies the stressors for grazing animals and proposes ways to mitigate their effects on the animals.

Scientific paper showing that hens kept in living conditions generally viewed as those preferred by a species and individually (as demonstrated by experiments) show greater optimism than those in kept living conditions that are less preferable for both the species and the individual. 

Scientific paper using a Delphi method to compare equine stereotypic behaviour (ESC) and human OCD looking at neurological, etiological and behavioural aspects, causal factors and welfare effects. It identifies the advantages and disadvantages of having ESCs recognised as OCDs.

Scientific review of types and uses of environmental enrichment for shelter cats to promote natural behaviours, reduce stress and improve welfare. Sensory, dietary, physical, and social enrichments are studied and evaluated to determine cats' preferences among enrichment stimuli.

Scientific review of the benefits of and global market for quail products, factors affecting the stocking density of quail on farms, and the effects of stocking density and housing systems on the social behaviour, welfare, physiological and performance indicators of broiler and layer quail.

Report on the health aspects of animal protection on puppy farms and cat breeding establishments, and on the monitoring of how dogs are socialised, produced at the request of the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in preparation for the drafting of regulatory documents on legal enforcement procedures with regard to dangerous and stray animals and animal protection

Dispositions relatives à la protection des animaux de compagnie