Subject: Watering

A survey on management of milk feeding, weaning and housing of conventional and organic dairy calves in Europe

Otten, N.D., Welk, A., Jensen, M.B.

Published in 2025

Results of a scientific survey on dairy calf management in Europe. It suggests that there are discrepancies between research recommendations and current practices regarding milk quantity and feeding frequency, as well as weaning. Legislative or industry recommendations are mainly followed in organic production in a small proportion of countries.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Main Husbandry Practices and Health Conditions That Affect Welfare in Calves: A Narrative Review

Eva Mainau, Laurent Goby, Xavier Manteca

Published in 2025

Review summarizing current knowledge on farming practices that affect calf welfare, from birth to departure from the farm, highlighting the importance of colostrum, feed, housing and pain management.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Biology, husbandry systems and farm practices for American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Maria Díez-León, Sabine Dippel, Sandra Edwards, Angela Schwarzer, Denise Candiani, Michaela Hempen, Eliana Lima, Claudia Millán Caravaca, Neil J. Tirchett, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

EFSA technical report updating its 2001 analysis of the welfare of animals bred for their fur (mink, fox, raccoon dog, chinchilla), incorporating recent data on these animals' biology and the production cycles and farming methods used.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Mammals

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Decree of June 19, 2025 laying down the animal health and protection rules to be met by activities involving domestic pets

Maud Faipoux

Published in 2025

This Order repeals that of April 3, 2014. It reinforces animal health and protection rules for pet-related activities, providing a clear and detailed regulatory framework for the activities of shelters, breeding establishments, educators and traders, taking into account the particular needs of each individual species. Health rules must now be instituted by all establishments. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine, Feline, Exotic pets, Birds (excluding poultry), Fish, Rodents

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Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

Recent scientific opinion from the EFSA, identifying the main welfare risks to animals bred for their fur (mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas), which are mainly associated with lives spent in cages without enrichment, resulting in restricted movement, stress and behavioral disorders.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

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Review - Restricted access to pasture and inadequate grazing in ruminants and equines

Brunet Valentin, Fusi Francesca, Bernardo Tiziano, Canali Elisabetta, Ruet Alice, Faye Bernard, Aubé Lydiane

Published in 2025

Synthesis from EURCAW Ruminants & Equines on the provision of access to pasture, which encourages the expression of natural behaviors and improves the health and well-being of ruminants and equines, notably through enhanced locomotion, enriched social interactions and good quality feed. However, it is not without some risks (animals can suffer from nutritional deficiencies, thermal stress, and locomotory and health disorders such as parasitism), calling for the appropriate management of resources, the environment and animal health.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Ruminants

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Final Report of an Audit of France carried out from 13 to 24 November 2023 in order to Evaluate the Protection of Unweaned Calves during Long Journeys

DG Health - European Commission

Published in 2025

Audit report on French controls on long journeys by unweaned calves, which concludes that the system is generally well set up, but is limited by certain deficiencies (gaps in procedures, control prioritization not always based on risks, lack of systematic follow-up). It recommends improvements to ensure greater compliance with animal welfare requirements.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

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Évaluation approfondie du bien-être des bovins en unités expérimentales INRAE : le protocole Welfare Quality®

Lydiane Aubé, Marie-Madeleine Mialon, Sarah Barbey, Raphaëlle Botreau

Published in 2025

Technical article proposing an in-depth assessment of cattle welfare in INRAE's experimental units to supplement  regular monitoring, based on Welfare Quality® protocols. This approach includes assessment by external agents followed by an advice phase in which improvements can be identified that are tailored to different types of cattle and farming contexts.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Modèles comportementaux conduisant à la caudophagie

G. Gambarini

Published in 2025

Article on the behavioral variations that characterize tail-biting episodes in pigs.  Two-stage, sudden-violent, and obsessive patterns of behavior each require specific interventions. Early detection, environmental enrichment and reduced competition for resources are essential factors in preventing and managing this behavior.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Pain, Enrichment, Risk management, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Q2E on nutrition and tail biting - EURCAW-Pigs

EURCAW-Pigs

Published in 2025

Answer to a question put to EURCAW-Pigs concerning the relationship between nutrition and tail biting in pigs. The European Reference Centre considers that access to sufficient water and feed (rich in fiber) is essential to prevent this behavior.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Pain, Enrichment, Risk management, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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