Species : Multiple species

Scientific paper comparing animal stress responses and meat quality in a small local abattoir and in an industrial abattoir. Values for several stress indicators were lower in the animals treated in the local abattoir, and the appearance and organoleptic qualities of the local abattoir meat were superior.

Scientific review showing that, in farm animals, a high level of animal welfare often leads to lower use of antimicrobials (UAM) and that a low level of welfare was associated with higher UAMs. In organic systems, restrictions on UAMs may however prevent animals from receiving treatment when needed.

A report calling for a complete change in the way EU animal welfare legislation is discussed, drafted and implemented. It proposes solutions to the particular problems posed by the current legal drafting and the overly-complicated procedures for amending the legislation.

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.

Report presenting the findings of the study conducted by the Commission's (DG SANTE) on consumer awareness of animal-welfare standards and the demand for additional information. It also describes existing animal-welfare labelling schemes in the EU and assesses their design and impact.

Scientific review reminding the reader of the link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans and the importance of finding early indicators of violent behaviour. It underlines the importance of the role of the veterinarian in detecting animal abuse and cruelty.

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.

This article goes back to the origin of the French term "bien-être animal" as a translation of the English "animal welfare'. The latter has a more neutral connotation similar to the French "protection animale" (which can be good or bad), whereas the French "bien-être animal" has the same positive connotation in the minds of the French public as "animal well-being" in English. This produces a mismatch when it is used in France to describe a state that is not related to well-being but is instead independent of the conditions under which the animals are kept.

Article on the importance of olfaction in human-animal relations. Whether the animal is a farm animal, a laboratory animal or a pet, human scents have an emotional impact on animals because of their strong sense of smell.

Scientific review of the neurobiological causes of behaviours, emotions, memory and learning in animals, and their links to animal welfare