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Knowledge Hub

Welcome to the scientific and technical resource
platform of the FRCAW

The reference documents on animal welfare available from this hub have been selected by the expert members of the FRCAW steering committee.

The hub provides access to various types of document covering all the sectors and species that fall within the FRCAW's remit: 

  • scientific documents that have been subject to an independent peer-review process, including expert opinions, articles, longer works, overviews and reviews
  • regulatory documents and certifications
  • technical documents resulting from technical research - articles, guides to good practice, books, reviews

The default setting for results is by date of publication (newest to oldest). 

This platform is regularly updated.

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Total: 1459 documents on the resource platform

The Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare

Published in 2024

Snapshot 2023 report which ranks the UK's leading seafood retailers, producers, processors and wholesalers according to the welfare standards they apply to decapod crustaceans.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Arthropods

Key words: Animal trade, Pain, Mutilation

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Rencontre animal welfare au Salon International de l’Agriculture 2023 : Révision de la réglementation sur le bien-être animal : des initiatives françaises à porter à l’Europe – présentations des intervenants

Published in 2023

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A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare

Published in 2025

Consensus sur la définition du bien-être animal positif

Document types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Consciousness, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Memory, Prenatal, Cognitive process, Evolutionary process

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A History of Pain Studies and Changing Attitudes to the Welfare of Crustaceans

Published in 2025

Review article tracing the evolution of opinion on pain in crustaceans over time. There are numerous scientific studies that discuss indications,  but not incontrovertible proof, that Crustaceans are sensitive to pain. The difficulty in proving beyond doubt that Crustaceans experience pain leads some experts continue to question this, while others invoke the precautionary principle. This principle was applied in 2022, leading to the inclusion of decapod crustaceans in the UK's Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act of that year.

Document types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Arthropods

Key words: Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia

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An updated review on the effect of lighting on broilers and the environment of commercial houses

Published in 2025

Article reviewing the effects of lighting (color, intensity, duration, source) on broiler performance and welfare between 2018 and 2024.

Document types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing

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