Species : Multiple species

Animal Board Invited Review: Intrinsic hedonic value, complexity, and possibility for action as essential characteristics of a welfare-friendly environment for animals

I. Veissier, C. Terlouw, R. Botreau, V. Deiss, S. Cowie

Published in 2026

Study examining how the hedonic value of the environment determines animal welfare. Welfare depends on a balance between positive emotions, environmental complexity and opportunities for behavioral expression: these factors must be optimized (rather than maximized), since an excess or a deficiency of any one of them can be harmful to welfare, with the optimal level varying by individual.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Environmental Enrichment in Aquaculture: Linking Welfare Goals to Practical Application

O. Spiliopoulos, S. Kadri, M. Sinclair, M. Vanderzwalmen, C. Brown

Published in 2026

A review summarizing current knowledge on environmental enrichment, a key strategy for improving the welfare of farmed fish. Its effectiveness depends on the specific context and requires a tailored approach.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

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Stereotypical behaviors across species: From neurobiological mechanisms to farm animal welfare

Chenyang Li, Jie Gao, Hang Shu, Guangyong Zhao, Xianhong Gu

Published in 2026

A review describing stereotypical behaviors—indicators of distress—that are based on neurobiological mechanisms that have yet to be fully studied in farm animals. The authors highlight current gaps in knowledge and discuss prospects for better understanding these behaviors and improving animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Meat Industry Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines: A Systematic Approach to Animal Welfare at Transport and Slaughter

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Good practice guide on the transport, handling and stunning of animals in the meat industry 

Document types:good practice guides

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Animal Welfare Audit

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Audit tool for the objective assessment of animal welfare in the meat industry during transport, holding, and slaughter

Document types:good practice guides

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Améliorer le bien-être des animaux d’élevage est-il toujours bénéfique pour l’environnement ?

Luc Mounier, Amandine Rave

Published in 2026

Review starting from the "One Health" principle, which aims to reconcile animal welfare, human health, and environmental protection. Tensions may exist between these objectives.

Document types: Technical documents

Animal categories: All animals

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.4: Transport of Animals by Air

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.3: Transport of Animals by Land

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.2: Transport of Animals by Sea

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Relationships between farmer well-being and the welfare of their animals: A One Welfare scoping review

Levallois P, Buczinski S, Desmarchelier M, Lupien S, Robichaud MV.

Published in 2026

Review demonstrating that farmers' welfare is strongly and positively linked to that of their animals. It supports the "One Welfare" approach, which works to achieve a combined on-farm benefit for both animal and human welfare. 

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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