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Monitoring Farm Animal Welfare - a preparation of a prototype for Germany
Project
Project code: TI-BW-08-PID1465
Contract period: 01.03.2013
- 31.03.2016
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
Are farm animals kept in a welfare friendly way? This issue is discussed controversially within society and academia. Public surveys - such as the Eurobarometer 2007 - show the importance of the subject. However, no sound reporting system on developments and the status quo of animal welfare exists at federal level in Germany. For the assessment of the status and development of animal welfare a regularly published monitoring report would be an asset. Essential requirements for such a report are uniformly recorded and accessible data. Within the scope of the research project, we therefore examine whether appropriate data is available and which indicators are suitable from a scientific point of view. Indicators are required for the areas of breeding, husbandry, transport and slaughter for cattle, pigs and poultry. On the basis of a literature analysis and data research, we identify suitable indicators. We define indicator-selection criteria and a participatory approach to narrow down the list of indicators. This takes place in close collaboration with scientists and specialists in the field (for example official veterinarians). Selected indicators, for which the necessary data is available will be presented exemplarily. In addition, we describe the entire set of indicators suitable for a national reporting and provide recommendations for the handling of information and data gaps. Literature review: • Screening and consideration of reports of European Member States as a blueprint for a German report (role model) • Analysis of German animal protection reports on federal state level • Current status of research on animal welfare indicators Data analysis: • Official Data, for example data on livestock management and farming systems • Data collected for other purposes, for example data from the breeders’ association, milk recording, data from the German database of animal origin (HI-Tier), slaughterhouse data Selection of indicators: • Written surveys • Workshops
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
- Farm animal behaviour