Subject: Regulations

Welfare of dairy cows

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW) : Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Dominique Joseph Bicout, Paolo Calistri, Elisabetta Canali, Julian Ashley Drewe, Bruno Garin-Bastuji, Jose Luis Gonzales Rojas, Christian Gort ́azar Schmidt, Mette Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel ́Angel Miranda Chueca, Barbara Padalino, Helen Clare Roberts, Hans Spoolder, Karl Stahl, Antonio Velarde, Arvo Viltrop, Alice De Boyer des Roches, Margit Bak Jensen, John Mee, Martin Green, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Elea Bailly-Caumette, Denise Candiani, Eliana Lima,Yves Van der Stede and Christoph Winckler

Published in 2023

EFSA opinion identifying the main types of housing for dairy cows in Europe and, for each, the main strengths, weaknesses and risks likely to reduce animal welfare. It examines five specific negative welfare consequences: locomotor disorders, mastitis, restricted movement and resting problems, inability to adopt comfort behavior and metabolic disorders. It also analyzes a set of farm characteristics that could be used to classify the level of welfare on farms.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements,Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Consciousness, Pain, Risk management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Mutilation, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Livestock farming system

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Relevant Indicators of Consciousness after Waterbath Stunning in Turkeys and Stunning Efficiency in Commercial Conditions

Alexandra Contreras-Jodar, Aranzazu Varvaró-Porter, Antonio Velarde, Virginie Michel

Published in 2023

Scientific article evaluating the prevalence and repeatability among observers of the four most valid and usable indicators of consciousness after waterbath stunning in turkeys before bleeding (tonic convulsion, respiration, spontaneous blinking and vocalization) and during bleeding (wing beating, respiration, spontaneous swallowing and head shaking).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Carcass quality, Stress

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000857/23: Supporting the installation of loose-house systems for sows 

Question: Annika Bruna (ID), Eric Minardi (ID), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), France Jamet (ID). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on the European Commission's plans to provide financial support for the installation of free-range accommodation for sows, and on the introduction of mirror clauses to protect European livestock farmers from competition from third countries with less stringent animal welfare standards.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Societal issues

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European Parliament: Written answer to question E-000948/23: Malnourished calves in Europe

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

Published in 2023

Answer to a question concerning the failure by member states to transpose Directive 2008/119/EC with regard to standards for the protection of calves, in particular as regards the monitoring of their hemoglobin blood levels, their feeding and their transport.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Carcass quality, Transport,Societal issues

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000940/23: Compliance with Directive 2008/120/EC on the welfare of pigs

Question: Margrete Auken (Greens/EFA). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question concerning the date of publication of the assessment of Member States' national action plans for the prevention of routine tail docking in pigs, the decisions taken by the European Commission to ensure compliance with the regulatory ban on tail docking in this species, and the measures envisaged in the event of breaches of the regulations.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Societal issues, Mutilation

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Validation of Methods for Assessment of Dust Levels in Layer Barns

Solène Mousqué, Frédérique Mocz, Anja B. Riber

Published in 2023

Scientific paper on the development of a valid and routinely practicable method of measuring dust levels in layer barns that can be incorporated in veterinary inspections to meet European regulations.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Living environment

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000612/23: Monitoring wild animals in travelling circuses in Europe

Question: Aurélia Beigneux (ID). Answer: Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on how the European Commission is monitoring the movement of protected wild animals and combating possible trafficking, and whether it is discussing with Member States how to restrict and eventually ban the presence of wild animals in EU circuses.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Animal trade, Population management, Human-animal relationships, Transport

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000856/23: Ban on imports of caged poultry

Question: Annika Bruna (ID), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), Gianantonio Da Re (ID), France Jamet (ID), Eric Minardi (ID). Reply: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on whether the European Commission will ban imports into the EU of poultry raised in cages and in sub-standard conditions.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Enrichment, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system,Societal issues

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n° 5241 : Chats errants

Question: Ian Boucard (Les Républicains - Territoire de Belfort). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2023

Answer to a question concerning the delay in implementing the measures provided for by the French law passed in November 30, 2021 on the management of stray cats, in particular the failure to publish reports on the costed assessment of need or the estimated cost of capture and sterilization, to formulate recommendations, or to implement the trial provided for in Article 12 of the law.

Document Types: Technical work

Animal categories: Felines

Keywords: Adoption,Abandonment, Castration, One Welfare, Identification, Mistreatment, Risk management, Population management, Societal issues, Sterilization

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Transportof Live Animals in the EU: challenges and opportunities 

European Court of Auditors

Published in 2023

Review of current animal transport practices in the European Union and possible actions to improve the account taken of the welfare of transported animals.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Transport

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