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Test of an action and result-oriented animal welfare support in frame of the GAK as well as EPLR

Project


Project code: 28N1800006
Contract period: 01.12.2018 - 30.11.2021
Budget: 967,223 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: animal health, cattle, husbandry techniques, sustainability

To date, there are only action-oriented support measures such as pasture premiums or the promotion of straw-based housing systems to improve animal welfare in dairy cattle within the framework of Germany’s common agricultural policy (GAK). Although these measures can create good conditions for the practicability of dairy cows natural behavior, the health aspect of animal welfare is not addressed. For this purpose, result-oriented approaches are necessary, in which the health status of the animals is recorded on the basis of animal-based indicators. Since the most important animal welfare problems in dairy farming concern health aspects (high lameness prevalence, poor udder health and metabolic disorders), the aim of the project is to test a support measure with which these aspects can be addressed. In the precursor project 11NA026 (BÖLN), an animal welfare measure for dairy cattle was developed, which combines action-oriented and result-oriented elements. With the provision of appropriate indicators, as well as a target and threshold system, the basis for an effective animal welfare measure has been developed. In order to bring this support measure into practice, a trial on a limited number of farms is a sensible exercise. Therefore, in close cooperation with the relevant actors (ministry, chamber of agriculture, farmers) of the federal state of Lower Saxony, all processes of a measure cofinanced by GAK and EAFRD are 'played through'. This ranges from the design of the directive to the training of farmers, extension service and inspections, to the payment of premiums and the implementation of the prescribed controls. The following workflow is planned in the framework of the project: 1. Analysis of the conditions for implementation of a result-oriented animal welfare measure ('acceptance workshop') 2. Selection of result-oriented indicators and action-oriented guidelines in coordination with the Ministry for Agriculture of Lower Saxony 3. Preparation of guidelines for the application of the concept of a result-oriented animal welfare measure for dairy cattle 4. Acquisition of farms participating in the measure (I), organisation of an information event for extension services, inspection and interested farmers (II) and training (III) 5. Application of the measure on 60 dairy farms 6. Collection of data and information for the evaluation of the measure 7. Conducting interviews with farm managers, consultants, administration and inspection bodies in order to assess the expenses and possible problems of the implementation of the measure or collection of animal-related indicators on participating farms 8. Evaluation of the effects and the effectiveness of the results-oriented animal welfare measure 9. Formulation of recommendations for the implementation of result-oriented animal welfare measures.

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