Measuring and Monitoring of Farm Animal Welfare

Ziel

A. BACKGROUND

The animal welfare issue

The welfare of domestic animals is a major issue in society today. It influences agricultural policy decisions, the economic situation for farmers and plays a key role in all public discussions related to animal production. Three main changes in the development of animal production over recent decades are thought to have contributed most to the increased importance of farm animal welfare (Blokhuis, 1999). These are:

- changes in housing and management systems,
- changes in production levels,
- changes in production technology.

Changes in housing and management systems

Over the last three decades housing and management systems in animal production have changed dramatically (c.f. Blokhuis et al., 1998). Poultry and pig industries in particular have become specialised as they have aimed to intensify production. Poultry farms have specialised in either egg or meat production, and breeding and fattening units for pigs have separated. Also the production of milk, beef and veal have been developed on specialised farms.

This specialisation also involved an increase of the number of animals per farm. As a consequence of this and increased automation, the number of animals looked after per individual farmer or caretaker has drastically increased. Subsequently, care and control for individual animals has become "minimal" and in some instances individual care is almost impossible.

Housing conditions have also changed profoundly. Mainly for pigs and poultry, low-density systems (indoor as well as outdoor) have been replaced by high density housing systems in climatically controlled houses. Minimal living space for the individual animal and a physically simple (or "barren") environment characterise these systems.

Changes in production levels

Another dramatic development concerns the production levels of individual animals. This has resulted in specific welfare problems, the most extreme examples of which are found in poultry. For instance the faster growth of broiler chickens is paralleled with a higher metabolic rate and a higher oxygen requirement, which seems to exceed the capacity of lungs and blood circulation. This results in an increased mortality from ascites and other related problems (Scheele, 1996). Also the prevalence of leg problems, as assessed by walking ability is high in commercial, intensively reared broilers (Kestin et al., 1992).

In dairy cows there is reason for concern that the large increase in productivity (more than 50%) and efficiency achieved over the last three decades, is realised at the expense of vital functions, like adaptive capacity and immunocompetence. Signs of such a relationship are, for example, high-yielding dairy cows suffering more often from mastitis than cows with lower milk production records (e.g. Bunch et al., 1984; Craven, 1991)

There is a risk for similar problems to develop in other species too. For instance production levels in sows and growing pigs have shown a large increase as well, and there is developing concern over relationships between growth rate and lameness in pigs.

Changes in production technology

Together with changes in housing systems, mechanisation and technology have been strongly developed. Labour input per animal has been strongly reduced by mechanisation of for instance feeding and manure removal.

A recent example of the use of technology in animal production is the development of robotic milking. The image of milk relates to "healthy" and "natural" and this image may be disturbed by the use of milking robots, especially when this results in the reduction or even elimination of grazing on pasture. Moreover, this technique may limit human-animal interactions. This could result in more fearful and less easy to handle animals and thus higher welfare risks during necessary handling.

Modern reproduction techniques involve for instance in vitro fertilisation, in vitro maturation, genetic modification and cloning, and Van Reenen and Blokhuis (1997) have shown there are possible welfare problems involved with these techniques.

In several European countries governmental committees have been set up to investigate the welfare of intensively kept livestock, for example the Brambell Committee in the United Kingdom (HMSO, 1965) and the Husbandry and Animal Welfare Committee in The Netherlands (Anon., 1975). The reports of these commissions covered specific animal welfare problems and stimulated the discussion and research in this field.

In 1975 the Council of Europe drew up the European Convention on the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes (Anon., 1976). In the framework of this Convention, recommendations for the housing of animals in husbandry conditions were adopted for animals such as cattle, laying hens, sheep and goats. Within the European Union there are at present legal requirements for the housing of laying hens, calves and pigs and for transport of life animals. Member States have to implement these requirements in national legislation.

Measuring and monitoring welfare

Since the 1970's scientific knowledge has been accumulating about the effects of housing factors on behaviour and physiology of farm animals and in general about the measurement of (disturbed) welfare.

Some definitions of animal welfare are rather descriptive (e.g. AVMA 1987) or refer to an animal being "in harmony" with its environment (e.g. Hughes, 1976; Lorz, 1973). These definitions are not very helpful for the scientific assessment of animal welfare. Other definitions refer to the animal's attempts to control relevant environmental factors and are more operational (Broom, 1986; Wiepkema 1982). In these definitions the welfare of the animal is negatively related to the effort the animal is putting into coping or with the biological cost of responding (Broom, 1996; Duncan, 1996; Moberg, 1996). In summary: welfare of an individual animal is good when its stress responses are not chronically activated and thus the individual is able to cope successfully, i.e. is free of pathologies and pain (e.g. from injury or disease).

Animals try to cope with environmental stressors using behavioural and physiological stress responses and these can be measured (e.g. changes in form or frequency of behavioural patterns or changes in heart rate, body temperature or hormone levels in blood (e.g. cortisol, adrenaline)). When these responses are thwarted or when they are not successful in restoring homeostasis, typical symptoms of chronic stress occur like injurious behaviour, stereotypies and chronic activation of the autonomic nervous system and the neuro-endocrine system (c.f. Weiss, 1968; Wiepkema, 1985). In this situation the welfare of the animal is clearly at stake. Moreover, chronic stress may also result in pre-pathological or even pathological states (Moberg, 1987).

Retailers more and more recognise animal welfare as a quality aspect of animal products and a relevant factor in consumer acceptance of the animal product. Thus, supermarkets translate the worries of the consumer into specifications for animal housing and management (including transport). It seems a more general trend that supermarkets want to label and market their products as "animal friendly". To accommodate such market demands there is a need for solid on-farm monitoring systems to assess and evaluate the welfare status and risks of the animals and to enable guarantees about welfare aspects and production circumstances.

Conclusion

Generally, public concern does not focus on the exploitation of animals as such but on adverse effects related to modern animal husbandry: the minimal living space allowed per animal, the barren environment in which the animals are kept, the high production levels, the lack of individual control, the large group sizes, the high technology input, transport conditions and in general "factory farming".

Despite the fact that research in the field of farm animal welfare has received considerable attention in recent years and considerable progress has been made, important and fundamental questions related to the measurement of animal welfare, still remain. Especially the relationships, relevance and validation of different parameters need further study. In this connection also the tuning, standardisation and intercalibration of methodologies between laboratories is of paramount importance.

In recent years it is recognised that the conditions under which the animals are kept and transported and the welfare of the animals is a relevant factor in consumer acceptance of the animal product. More and more the welfare image of the product becomes important for consumers and thus retailers. This stimulates the demand for solid on farm monitoring systems to assess and evaluate the welfare status and risks of the animals and to enable guarantees about welfare aspects and production circumstances. Different research initiatives are taken to accommodate this demand.

The present proposal for a COST Action acknowledges the need for scientific interaction, tuning, standardisation and coordination in relation to measuring and monitoring of farm animal welfare.

B. OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS

The main objective of the Action is to develop, standardise and intercalibrate methods of measuring and monitoring farm animal welfare and to stimulate welfare research.

Important benefits of this Action include sharing of practical experience and results by participating countries and the avoidance of duplication of effort. In several European institutes and universities questions related to measurement and monitoring of animal welfare are addressed by a variety of different methodologies and techniques. The adoption of such a synergistic approach means that the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.

Moreover, this Action plays an important role in facilitating collaborative research as well as winning support from the private sector. It also aims to stimulate mobility of researchers and technicians between laboratories involved in this Action, especially from countries with a less well established track record in this field and thus enhancing knowledge transfer.

As such this Action also creates a "knowledge base" from which European bodies as well as national governments may request advice.

C. SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

In general the scientific programme aims at focussing European welfare research on current developments in society and industry. Moreover, by interrelating European expertise the programme seeks to develop, standardise and intercalibrate methods and to stimulate welfare research in countries where this is less well developed.

Under the programme, the mobility of researchers between laboratories as well as training of young scientists will be stimulated and common grant applications will be facilitated. Both will contribute to the abovementioned aims.

The Action will cover two closely linked topics:

1. Measurement of welfare or indicators of (disturbed or good) welfare. An animal actively reacts with a variety of physiological and behavioural responses to demands from its environment. When these responses are not successful or when they are thwarted, welfare may be reduced and typical behavioural and/or physiological stress symptoms such as conflict behaviour, activation of the autonomic nervous and the neuro-endocrine pathways (e.g. elevated levels of "stress sensitive" hormones such as corticosteroids, adrenaline and noradrenaline) can occur. Finally, continuous activation of stress related physiological mechanisms can result in pre-pathological or even pathological states.

Under this topic, methods to measure these parameters will be discussed and standardisation and intercalibration (e.g. in terms of protocols and standard operating procedures) will be sought. Moreover, the importance and validation of parameters as indicators of welfare status will be studied (e.g. what exactly is the relevance of specific behavioural tests or what aspect of a cortisol response (level, pattern etc.) is specifically indicative of a welfare problem).

Parameters/indicators from the following disciplines will be studied:

- behaviour (e.g. stereotypies, damaging or redirected behaviour, social disturbances),
- (neuro)physiology (e.g. endocrine and cardiovascular responses, neurochemical changes),
- immunology (e.g. (indicators of) suppression of immunocompetence),
- pathology (e.g. morbidity/mortality, disease, lesions, damage of integument).

Different farm animal species (cattle, pigs, poultry) will be considered. Particular attention is paid to the way in which individual differences in stress and adaptation arise, and how they may be influenced by rearing and management procedures. Also the specific field of animal transport will be included.

2. On-farm monitoring of welfare. The second topic under this Action concentrates on on-farm monitoring systems to assess and evaluate the welfare status and risks of the animals involved (the term "on-farm" also includes "in transit"). Under this topic, design criteria (measures of the system), relevant for the welfare of specific species (poultry, pig, cattle), will be identified on the basis of experimental studies. Moreover, to include the effect of how the system is managed as well as specific system-animal interactions, also performance criteria (measures of the animal) will be included. Clearly, design criteria as well as performance criteria should be based on analyses under topic 1. The question here is to "translate" this knowledge to applicable criteria for on-farm use.

Different groups in Europe are working on the development and implementation of monitoring systems for different species. Especially in this stage an Action like this, bringing together diverse expertise and experiences, may prove to be extremely valuable in helping to develop methods, to standardise and intercalibrate.

D. ORGANISATION AND TIMETABLE

The Action will be divided into two working groups, each under a chairperson or coordinator:

Working Group 1. Measurement of welfare.
This comprises the research field as described under C.1 (relevance and validation of welfare parameters).
Working Group 2. On-farm monitoring of welfare.
This comprises the research field as described under C.2 (methods and criteria to measure and monitor welfare on-farm)

There will be much interaction and shared work between the two groups. It may be considered in a later stage to split up these working groups in sub-groups. Under Working Group 1 a sub-group on behavioural methods and parameters and a sub-group on physiological measurements could be considered. Under Working Group 2, three sub-groups focusing on the three most important agricultural species (cattle, pigs, poultry) may be helpful to tackle efficiently specific problems in the monitoring of welfare in these species. Also, a separate working group or sub-group for transport will be considered. However, the interaction between sub-groups is necessary as the interrelation of scientists working on different disciplines and species proves to be extremely valuable.

The two Working Group Coordinators and the Action Coordinator will ensure close liaison between the working groups. In order to promote interaction between working groups and participating laboratories and scientists a website newsletter and discussion forum will be created.

The goals of these workshops are:

- to review and discuss the results of previous and ongoing research,
- to contribute to the development, standardisation and intercalibration of methods,
- to promote cooperation, exchange (especially for training of young scientists) between the participating institutes,
- to receive information from experts outside the group,
- assessment of the progress of the Action.

The format of the working group meetings is to address more explicitly different topics around a specific item during one meeting. For instance a specific item in Working Group 1 could be "damaging behaviour" and topics like "measuring and recording", "causation", "environmental aspects", "genetics", "collaboration and exchange", could be addressed. An item under Working Group 2 could be "technological possibilities of performance measuring" with topics like "behavioural measures", "physiological measures", "relevance of data", "collaboration and exchange". "Animal transport" could be a specific topic in both working groups.

Deliverables
The format described above allows the production of reports focused on such specific items. These may also include descriptions of standardised procedures and measures.

Other "deliverables" are exchanges and visits between laboratories, training of young scientists and reports on these included in proceedings of meetings.

Meetings
Working Groups will meet annually (see timetable). The Management Committee will meet twice a year, once in conjunction with the annual workshops. The Action will run over a five-year period starting 2000. The proposed Action is considered to require a duration of five years because of the fragmented and diversified nature of animal welfare research in Europe. In the last year (2005) a final evaluation is foreseen (see timetable).

E. ECONOMIC DIMENSION

Representatives from the following COST countries have actively participated in the preparation of the Action: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and France. It is anticipated that generally 4-6 people per country will actively engage in this Action and coordinate the input from their respective countries.

On the basis of national estimates provided by the representatives of these countries and taking into account that the coordination costs are to be covered from the COST budget of the European Commission, the overall cost of the activities to be carried out under the Action has been estimated, at 1999 prices, at roughly EUR 120 million.

F. OUTPUT AND DISSEMINATION

The COST Action will result in outputs that will not otherwise be realised.

Communication within the Action and WGs will be maintained mainly through electronic means. Annual Reports will be also produced in hard copies yearly, which will contain relevant data of participants, short accounts of each WG summarising the main achievements of the year, and abstracts of WG workshops. The results will be made available for the scientific community through communications in international journals and through an interactive website on the Internet.

Exchange of scientists and joint experimentation will be facilitated by Short Term Scientific Missions. Special attention will be paid to award these fellowships to young scientists, particularly from less-developed regions.

Programm/Programme

IC-COST - European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST), 1971-

Thema/Themen

4 - Agriculture and Biotechnology

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

Data not available

Koordinator

N/A

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

Niederlande

Gesamtkosten