Animal welfare

The collection of data on animal welfare inspections is essential for the Members of European Community to evaluate the impact of its policy in this field. In addition it is important that animal welfare rules are applied in a uniform manner, in particular because those rules may affect the competitiveness of some farming activities.

Commission Decision 2000/50/EC of 17 December 1999 concerning minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes provides that the reports which the Member States are to submit to the Commission pursuant to Directive 98/58/EC are to cover calves, pigs and laying hens. It also specified the information which the Member States are requested to submit for each species and category of animals. From 2009 subsequently every year not later than 30 June, Member States shall submit to the Commission a report by electronic means concerning the information collected and recorded in accordance with concerning minimum requirements for the collection of information during the inspections of production sites on which certain animals are kept for farming purposes EU (2006/778/EC). Animal welfare is now accepted as an integral part of the Community’s ―farm to fork‖ policies and is one of the strategic priorities related to the development of more sustainable food production policies. However, animal welfare is not only related to the

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after the age of eight weeks, unless a veterinarian certifies that its health or behaviour requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment. The width of any individual pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the tuber ischii (pin bone), multiplied by 1,1.

Individual pens for calves (except those for isolating sick animals) must not have solid walls, but perforated walls which allow the calves to have direct visual and tactile contact. For calves kept in groups, the unobstructed space allowance available to each calf shall be at least equal to 1,5 m2 for each calf of a live weight of less than 150 kilograms, at least equal to 1,7 m2 for each calf of a live weight of 150 kilograms or more but less than 220 kilograms, and at least equal to 1,8 m2 for each calf of a live weight of 220 kilograms or more.

Pigs should benefit from an environment corresponding to their needs for exercise and investigatory behaviour.

The welfare of pigs appears to be compromised by severe restrictions of space. When pigs are kept in groups, appropriate management measures for their protection should be taken to improve their welfare. Sows prefer to have social interactions with other pigs when provided with freedom of movement and environmental complexity. Keeping sows in continuous close confinement should therefore be prohibited. Tail-docking, tooth-clipping and tooth-grinding are likely to cause immediate pain and some prolonged pain to pigs. Castration is likely to cause prolonged pain which is worse if there is tearing of the tissues. Those practices are therefore detrimental to the welfare of pigs, especially when carried out by incompetent and inexperienced persons. the unobstructed floor area available to each weaner or rearing pig kept in a group, excluding gilts after service and sows, must be at least:

The total unobstructed floor area available to each gilt after service and to each sow when gilts and/or sows are kept in groups must be at least 1,64 m2 and 2,25 m2 respectively. When these animals are kept in groups of fewer than six individuals the unobstructed floor area must be increased by 10 %. When these animals are kept in groups of 40 or more individuals the unobstructed floor area may be decreased by 10 %.

The flooring surfaces comply with the following requirements: (a) for gilts after service and pregnant sows

All laying hens farming systems must be equipped in such a way that all laying hens have: either linear feeders providing at least 10 cm per bird or circular feeders providing at least 4 cm per bird; either continuous drinking troughs providing 2,5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing 1 cm per hen.

In addition, where nipple drinkers or cups are used, there shall be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers shall be within reach of each hen; at least one nest for every seven hens.

If group nests are used, there must be at least 1 m2 of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens; adequate perches, without sharp edges and providing at least 15 cm per hen. Perches must not be mounted above the litter and the horizontal distance between perches must be at least 30 cm and the horizontal distance between the perch and the wall must be at least 20 cm; at least 250 cm2 of littered area per hen, the litter occupying at least one third of the ground surface. The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward-facing claws of each foot. If systems of rearing are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels, there shall be no more than four levels; the headroom between the levels must be at least 45 cm;

the drinking and feeding facilities must be distributed in such a way as to provide equal access for all hens; the levels must be so arranged as to prevent droppings falling on the levels below. If laying hens have access to open runs there must be several popholes giving direct access to the outer area, at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide and extending along the entire length of the building; in any case, a total opening of 2 m must be available per group of 1 000 hens; The open runs must be an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination; equipped with shelter from inclement weather and predators and, if necessary, appropriate drinking troughs. The stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per m2 usable area.

If the farmer use cage systemfor hens need at least 550 cm2 per hen of cage area, measured in a horizontal plane, which may be used without restriction, in particular not including non-waste deflection plates liable to restrict the area available, must be provided for each laying hen; a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage, unless nipple drinkers or drinking cups are provided, each cage must have a continuous drinking channel of the same length as the feed, where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach of each cage. 4. cages must be at least 40 cm high over at least 65 % of the cage area and not less than 35 cm at any point. The floors of cages must be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward-facing claws of each foot. Floor slope must not exceed 14 % or 8 %. In the case of floors using other than rectangular wire mesh, Member States may permit steeper slopes. The cages shall be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

In USA animal wellfare process partly similar to EU practice. Egg farmers sincerely care about the welfare of their chickens and completely understand that poor husbandry practices will result in higher mortality and fewer eggs. To meet a changing market, farmers needed to upgrade their production facilities while keeping in mind the health and welfare of their birds. They also recognized the need to deliver eggs to the market in the most economical and quickest manner possible. The modern cage system was found to be a system that could meet both requirements in a commercial market. United Egg producers understand they have a responsibility to house and manage their animals at the highest levels of husbandry and welfare which is why the "United Egg Producers Certified" program was developed. The program assures consumers, foodservice professionals and retailers that their eggs originated from farms that follow responsible, science-based modern production methods for egg-laying hens.

The fear, distress, suffering and pain inflicted on an animal during slaughter may affect the quality of the meat The slaughter methods are as far as possible spare animals suffering and pain Animals shall be unloaded as soon as possible. While waiting in the means of transport they shall be protected from extremes of weather and provided with adequate ventilation. Suitable equipment such as bridges, ramps, or gangways, shall be used for unloading animals. The equipment shall be constructed with flooring which will permit a proper foothold and, if

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adequately spaced out and the animals have room to move; such shocks shall be applied only to appropriate muscles.

Cages, baskets or crates in which animals are transported shall be handled with care. They shall not be thrown to the ground or knocked over. Animals delivered in cages, baskets or crates with flexible or perforated bottoms shall be unloaded with particular care in order to avoid injuring the animals' extremities. Where appropriate they shall be unloaded individually. Animals which are not slaughtered immediately on arrival shall be lairaged.

With the exception of animals to be slaughtered within 12 hours of their arrival, they shall subsequently be given moderate quantities of food and water at appropriate intervals.

In the case of the ritual slaughter of animals of the bovine species, they shall be restrained before slaughter by mechanical means designed to spare them all avoidable pain, suffering, agitation, injury or contusions.

In the case of solipeds, ruminants and pigs, only the following stunning methods shall be permitted: mechanical means employing instruments which administer a blow or penetrate at the level of the brain, electro-narcosis, gas anaesthesia. The stunning methods authorized by each Contracting Party shall bring animals into a state of insensibility which lasts until they are slaughtered, thus sparing them in any event all avoidable suffering.Use of the puntilla, hammer or pole-axe shall be prohibited.