Abstract
This review aimed to systematically map and summarize the status of animal health and welfare in organic production. The prevalence of diseases and behavioural effects in organic dairy cow, beef cattle, sheep, pig, laying hen and broiler chicken were discussed in the context of the organic values and current knowledge on animal health and welfare. In total 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications between 2008 and 2020 were included. No strong evidence for neither inferior nor distinctly higher animal welfare in organic compared with conventional production could be supported. The welfare status of organic livestock is in general good in relation to the OIE definition of animal health and welfare. However, organic systems are still facing several challenges related to animal health and the arising of goal conflicts due to management and practical implications. Greater possibilities to perform species-specific behaviours in organic production systems, however, indicate that the organic standards offer a good framework for high animal welfare management. For organic dairy farmers, the main health problems are similar to those of non-organic farms; especially mastitis and lameness need improvement. Parasites, together with mastitis and lamb mortality, are important welfare issues in organic sheep production. Piglet mortality, leg problems, parasite load and increasing respiratory problems are of major relevance in organic pig production. For organic laying hens, major health challenges relate to feather pecking and cannibalism, parasites and possibilities to express species-specific behaviours. For organic broilers, dermatitis of footpads, hocks and breast are reported as main health issues.
Highlights
Organic animal production has experienced a rapid development that has led to changes in the way the production is conducted
From being a movement based on ideological thoughts, it has progressed to be defined as a production method by minimum standards, which limit the possibilities to provide a clear frame to characterize in dissociation to conventional production
The results showed that the behaviour of organic dairy cows was not different from conventional dairy cows, and the results suggest that most behavioural welfare problems related to housing could be alleviated by management practices
Summary
Organic animal production has experienced a rapid development that has led to changes in the way the production is conducted. The goals and principles of organic production throughout Europe are well defined, and the marketing of certified organic products is thoroughly regulated by the European Union since the 1990s and thereafter revised (EU 2018). The IFOAM principles are reflected in the European regulation of organic production (EC 2008), which includes high animal welfare standards, in particular when it comes to meeting animals’ species-specific behavioural needs and protecting their health. The fundamental rules of organic production are legally defined, organic livestock production covers a broad diversity of production systems varying both between and within countries and animal species. From being a movement based on ideological thoughts, it has progressed to be defined as a production method by minimum standards, which limit the possibilities to provide a clear frame to characterize in dissociation to conventional production. Consumers expect high animal health and welfare in organic farming, but there are doubts whether these systems achieve this better than conventional animal husbandry systems do (Sundrum et al 2010; Sutherland et al 2013)
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