Species : Multiple species

Animal behaviour and welfare research: A One Health perspective

James William Yeates

Published in 2024

A summary of the ethical principles proposed by the One Health program for research into animal behavior and welfare. Transdisciplinary and multisectoral in nature, such research should describe and apply a harmonious balance between the needs of humans, animals and the environment, and recognize the importance of the integrity of the ecosystem as a whole.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment,Adaptation of the environment to the animal , Biodiversity, Education, Environment, Experimentation, Risk management, One Welfare, Human-animal relationshipsLivestock farming system, Societal issues

Access the source: Animal Behavior and Welfare Research: A One Health Perspective

Parlement européen : Réponse à la question E-001217/24 : Bien-être des crustacés à l’abattage

Question: Sarah Wiener (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Response from the European Commission to an MEP's question on the welfare of crustaceans at slaughter. The Commission states that it has mandated EFSA to produce an expert opinion on the welfare of certain invertebrates such as decapods. It also refers to the creation, at the beginning of 2024, of the EU Reference Center for Aquatic Animal Welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia

Access the source: European Parliament: Response to Question E-001217/24: Welfare of crustaceans at slaughter

Sixty Years of Tinbergen’s Four Questions and Their Continued Relevance to Applied Behaviour and Welfare Research in Zoo Animals: A Commentary

Robert Kelly, Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Scientific article illustrating how ethologist Tinbergen's four questions - based on the causality, ontogeny, phylogeny and function of animal behaviors - can help zoo animal research in areas such as sentience, welfare, conservation and species management.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Biodiversity, Population management, Living environment, Evolutionary processes, Behavioural disorders

Access the source: "Sixty Years of Tinbergen’s Four Questions and Their Continued Relevance to Applied Behavior and Welfare Research in Zoo Animals: A Commentary"

Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°14325 : Remise du rapport gouvernemental sur l’expérimentation de l’abattage à la ferme

Question: Lisa Belluco (Ecologist - NUPES - Vienna). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2024

Question from a Member of the French National Assembly on the introduction of mobile on-farm slaughterhouses. The French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has announced the recent publication of a regulation amending Regulation (EC) 853/53/2004 to regulate the use of mobile on-farm slaughter units.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

Keywords: Carcass quality, Euthanasia, Housing,Animal trade, Pain, Transport

Access the source: National Assembly: Written response to Question No. 14325: Submission of the government report on the pilot program for on-farm slaughter

Reptile expos: an analysis and recommendations for control

Clifford Warwick, Catrina Steedman, Mike Jessop, Rachel Grant

Published in 2024

Analysis of a survey of those involved in the trading or exhibition of reptiles in Europe and the United States. At least 10 animal welfare issues and 5 public health and safety issues identified in the survey lead its authors to conclude that the lack of monitoring and control at reptile shows, combined with their frequency, necessitate a ban on these events.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Exotic pets, Reptiles

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Animal trade, Education, Abuse, Pathogen transfer

Access the source: Reptile Exhibitions: An Analysis and Recommendations for Control

Animal welfare at slaughter: perceptions and knowledge across cultures

Michelle Sinclair, Maria José Hötzel, Natasha Y. P. Lee, Maria Catalina T. de Luna, Arvind Sharma, Musadiq Idris, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Oluwaseun S. Iyasere, Grisel Navarro, Abdelkareem A. Ahmed, Georgette Leah Burns, Michael Curry, Jeremy N. Marchant

Published in 2023

Analysis of a survey of the general public to assess knowledge and attitudes towards animal welfare during slaughter (including religious slaughter), in 14 culturally and religiously diverse countries. The results suggest that concern for reducing animal suffering during slaughter is a universal human tendency rather than a cultural development. Acceptance of slaughter without prior stunning is linked to local interpretations of religious requirements.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Education, Euthanasia, Fear, Human-animal relationships

Access the source: Animal welfare at slaughter: perceptions and knowledge across cultures

Consumers across five European countries prioritise animal welfare above environmental sustainability when buying meat and dairy products

Jeanine Ammann, Gabriele Mack, Nadja El Benni, Shan Jin, Paul Newell-Price, Sophie Tindale, Erik Hunter, Victoria Vicario-Modroño, Rosa Gallardo-Cobos, Pedro Sánchez-Zamora, Simona Miškolci, Lynn J. Frewer

Published in 2024

Analysis of a survey among meat and dairy consumers in five European countries showing that freshness, quality/taste and animal welfare are the characteristics considered to be most important. Environmental factors such as food miles, carbon footprints and organic production appear to bew less important, even if they are perceived as useful.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Bovines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Education, Carcass quality, Environment, Carcass quality, Pollution, Livestock farming system, Welfare indicators, Processing, Societal issues

Access the source: Consumers across five European countries prioritize animal welfare over environmental sustainability when buying meat and dairy products

Bien-être animal : lancement du plan national pour améliorer le bien-être des animaux de compagnie

French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2024

Press release from the Ministry announcing the launch on May 22, 2024 of a national pet welfare plan. Based on awareness-raising and provision of information, this national plan aims to prevent and combat the abandonment and abuse of pets, and to improve the management of canine and feline strays.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines, Exotic pets

Keywords: Adoption,Abandonment, Human-animal relationships, Population management, Abuse

Access the source: Animal Welfare: Launch of the National Plan to Improve the Welfare of Pets

Parlement européen : réponse écrite à la question E-003741/2023 : Aide aux aviculteurs qui enrichissent l’environnement de leurs volailles

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

Published in 2024

Reply from the European Commission to a Member of Parliament on the insufficient aid provided for European poultry farmers trying to enrich  the living environment of their animals, and who must face foreign competition due to increased imports of poultry products not subject to European legislation.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal trade, Enrichment, Environment, Housing, Restraint equipment, Pollution, Livestock farming system, Transport, Societal issues

Access the source: European Parliament: Written Answer to Question E-003741/2023: Support for poultry farmers who enrich the environment for their poultry

Climate change, public health, and animal welfare: towards a One Health approach to reducing animal agriculture’s climate footprint

Verkuijl Cleo, Smit Jessie, Green Jonathan M. H., Nordquist Rebecca E., Sebo Jeff, Hayek Matthew N., Hötzel Maria José

Published in 2024

Scientific summary article comparing the potential impacts on public health and animal welfare of three types of strategies often proposed in livestock farming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: (1) "sustainable intensification" methods, (2) "species shift" approaches, and (3) "systemic dietary change" approaches.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Environment, Risk management, Living environment, One Welfare, Pollution, Livestock farming system, Societal issues

Access the source: Climate Change, Public Health, and Animal Welfare: Toward a One Health Approach to Reducing the Climate Footprint of Animal Agriculture