Welfare Considerations Research Articles

Speed and Cardiac Recovery Variables Predict the Probability of Elimination in Equine Endurance Events

Nearly 50% of the horses participating in endurance events are eliminated at a veterinary examination (a vet gate). Detecting unfit horses before a health problem occurs and treatment is required is a challenge for veterinarians but is essential for improving equine welfare. We hypothesized that it would be possible to detect unfit horses earlier in the event by measuring heart rate recovery variables. Hence, the objective of the present study was to compute logistic regressions of heart rate, cardiac recovery time and average speed data recorded at the previous vet gate (n-1) and thus predict the probability of elimination during successive phases (n and following) in endurance events. Speed and heart rate data were extracted from an electronic database of endurance events (80–160 km in length) organized in four countries. Overall, 39% of the horses that started an event were eliminated—mostly due to lameness (64%) or metabolic disorders (15%). For each vet gate, logistic regressions of explanatory variables (average speed, cardiac recovery time and heart rate measured at the previous vet gate) and categorical variables (age and/or event distance) were computed to estimate the probability of elimination. The predictive logistic regressions for vet gates 2 to 5 correctly classified between 62% and 86% of the eliminated horses. The robustness of these results was confirmed by high areas under the receiving operating characteristic curves (0.68–0.84). Overall, a horse has a 70% chance of being eliminated at the next gate if its cardiac recovery time is longer than 11 min at vet gate 1 or 2, or longer than 13 min at vet gates 3 or 4. Heart rate recovery and average speed variables measured at the previous vet gate(s) enabled us to predict elimination at the following vet gate. These variables should be checked at each veterinary examination, in order to detect unfit horses as early as possible. Our predictive method may help to improve equine welfare and ethical considerations in endurance events.

External Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing: Risks and Welfare Considerations for Water Supply in Germany

In this paper, we investigate the externalities related to hydraulic fracturing (‘hydrofracking’) in Germany, based on a detailed analysis of hydrofracking risks and potentials, and a stylized social welfare analysis related to adverse impacts of unconventional gas production on both surface and ground water resources and water supply. Natural gas is extracted by a profit-maximizing monopolist. Society faces several kinds of negative externalities, including additional water purification costs. The results of our sensitivity analysis show that the maximized welfare is in any case higher than the welfare resulting from the profit-maximizing quantities, as is predicted by our model. Also, the regulator always has to pay a subsidy in order to maximize welfare, which shows that the monopolist has an incentive to exercise his market power in order to keep the prices up for profit maximization. The monopolist’s profits are always non-negative, whereas the welfare-maximizing shale gas production generally reduces his profits. As profits do not drop below zero, however, there is no need to employ a second-best approach. We conclude that increasing costs and/or an increasing price sensitivity will lead to reduced profits and to reduced social welfare, while for an increasing choke price it is the other way around.

Using in vitro/in silico data for consumer safety assessment of feed flavoring additives – A feasibility study using piperine

Consumer health risk assessment for feed additives is based on the estimated human exposure to the additive that may occur in livestock edible tissues compared to its hazard. We present an approach using alternative methods for consumer health risk assessment. The aim was to use the fewest possible number of animals to estimate its hazard and human exposure without jeopardizing the safety upon use. As an example we selected the feed flavoring substance piperine and applied in silico modeling for residue estimation, results from literature surveys, and Read-Across to assess metabolism in different species. Results were compared to experimental in vitro metabolism data in rat and chicken, and to quantitative analysis of residues' levels from the in vivo situation in livestock. In silico residue modeling showed to be a worst case: the modeled residual levels were considerably higher than the measured residual levels. The in vitro evaluation of livestock versus rodent metabolism revealed no major differences in metabolism between the species. We successfully performed a consumer health risk assessment without performing additional animal experiments. As shown, the use and combination of different alternative methods supports animal welfare consideration and provides future perspective to reducing the number of animals.

Short Time Exposure (STE) test in conjunction with Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) assay including histopathology to evaluate correspondence with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) eye irritation classification of textile dyes

Eye irritation evaluation is mandatory for predicting health risks in consumers exposed to textile dyes. The two dyes, Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) and Reactive Green 19 (RG19) are classified as Category 2A (irritating to eyes) based on the UN Globally Harmonized System for classification (UN GHS), according to the Draize test. On the other hand, animal welfare considerations and the enforcement of a new regulation in the EU are drawing much attention in reducing or replacing animal experiments with alternative methods. This study evaluated the eye irritation of the two dyes RO16 and RG19 by combining the Short Time Exposure (STE) and the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) assays and then comparing them with in vivo data from the GHS classification. The STE test (first level screening) categorized both dyes as GHS Category 1 (severe irritant). In the BCOP, dye RG19 was also classified as GHS Category 1 while dye RO16 was classified as GHS no prediction can be made. Both dyes caused damage to the corneal tissue as confirmed by histopathological analysis. Our findings demonstrated that the STE test did not contribute to arriving at a better conclusion about the eye irritation potential of the dyes when used in conjunction with the BCOP test. Adding the histopathology to the BCOP test could be an appropriate tool for a more meaningful prediction of the eye irritation potential of dyes.

Freshwater treatment of amoebic gill disease and sea-lice in seawater salmon production: Considerations of water chemistry and fish welfare in Norway

Abstract Amoebic gill disease (AGD) and sea lice are two of the most significant disease issues that the Norwegian Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry is facing. Although both diseases respond to various extents, to freshwater treatment, the chemistry, interactions, and efficacy of treatment can be variable. These variations can have significant impacts upon the success and failure of treatment and costs to the production cycle. Although it is known that soft freshwater is most effective in bathing of Atlantic salmon with AGD and that most of the freshwaters in Norway fall into the soft category, the low alkalinity and buffering capacity of such waters may impact on the pH and metal toxicity of the water source in use. Similarly dissolved organic carbon can be beneficial in treatment, although sequestration of metal ions can be reversed as the water pH drops due to high densities of fish and accumulations of carbon dioxide. Alternative treatments such as the use of oxidative disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide used for AGD and sea lice control may have potential although the interactions in seawater with organic loads and dissolved organic carbon are unclear. Similarly the use of oxidative disinfectants in freshwater will depend upon the water chemistry and interactions with treatment chemicals, fish, and water organic content. The logistics of treating large biomasses of Atlantic salmon on marine farms are challenging. The use of well boats offers potential although maintaining water quality during treatments is essential for both AGD and sea lice treatments to optimize fish welfare and treatment efficacy.

Accuracy, optimality and the preponderance standard

Law-and-economics scholars have recently argued that the legal system should set burdens of proof on the basis of ex ante welfare considerations. In this Article, we reject this welfarist approach, showing that it relies on contested normative principles, raises legitimacy concerns, and is nearly impossible to implement in practice. As an alternative, we propose a decision-theory model that we constrain to account for core legal values and the practical limitations of the trial process. Specifically, we require that the burden of proof prioritize accuracy (truth) over welfare, and that it be capable of operating without knowledge of the base rates or prior probabilities of activities. The resulting optimization problem can be solved using a minimax approach, which minimizes the maximum probability of error faced by each of the parties, and remarkably, the minimax solution turns out to be precisely the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard currently imposed by courts. We thereby not only refute recent welfare theories about the burden of proof, but also provide a new theoretical justification for the traditional preponderance standard.

Imaging technologies and basic considerations for welfare of laboratory rodents.

Imaging technologies are regularly used in biomedical research to study processes in living animals in a noninvasive manner. But imaging procedures can affect animal physiology, and the need to anesthetize animals for imaging entails potential health risks. In addition, certain imaging modalities require the use of ionizing radiation or the administration of contrast agents or imaging biomarkers, which also have consequences for animal physiology. Finally, procedures associated with imaging, such as animal preparation (e.g., fasting, premedication) and blood sampling, can also affect physiology and animal welfare. Here, the authors review the imaging modalities commonly used for rodents in biomedical research and their associated considerations for animal welfare.

Captive care and welfare considerations for beavers

Beavers (Castor spp.) tend not to be a commonly held species and little published material exists relating to their captive care. We review published material and discuss husbandry issues taking into account the requirements of wild beavers. As social mammals with complex chemical communication systems and with such an ability to modify their environments, studies of wild counterparts suggest the captive requirements of beavers may actually be more sophisticated than generally perceived. Common field techniques may have practical application in the captive setting. Their widespread utilisation in conservation, including reintroductions, translocations and habitat management, also requires components of captive care. As welfare science advances there is increasing pressure on captive collections to improve standards and justify the keeping of animals. Conservation science is increasingly challenged to address individual welfare standards. Further research focusing on the captive care of beavers is required.

A multidisciplinary approach to equine clinical behaviour practice

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsLoni LoftusA multidisciplinary approach to equine clinical behaviour practiceAll authorsLoni Loftus MSc BSc(Hons)https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2014.995958Published online:11 February 2015Display full size Loni holds a BSc(Hons) degree in Equine Science and an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She owned and ran a behaviour, training and rehabilitation centre for a number of years before starting her career as a lecturer. Loni works as an education consultant for Central Veterinary Services and also lectures in animal science, behaviour and welfare for a number of colleges and universities as well as continuing to practice as an animal behaviourist. Loni's interests are based around injury, disease, rehabilitation, behaviour and welfare, with current research in the areas of equine euthanasia and stress in animals at public events.Loni is secretary of the Veterinary Wound Healing Association. Her interest in wound management stems from her rehabilitation work and current projects see her developing research in the area of new products and their application in veterinary wound care as well as the ethics and welfare considerations surrounding veterinary treatment.

Autonomy‐Enhancing Paternalism

SummaryWe present a form of soft paternalism called “autonomy‐enhancing paternalism” that seeks to increase individual well‐being by facilitating the individual ability to make critically reflected, autonomous decisions. The focus of autonomy‐enhancing paternalism is on helping individuals to become better decision‐makers, rather than on helping them by making better decisions for them. Autonomy‐enhancing paternalism acknowledges that behavioral interventions can change the strength of decision‐making anomalies over time, and favors those interventions that improve, rather than reduce, individuals' ability to make good and unbiased decisions. By this it prevents manipulation of the individual by the soft paternalist, accounts for the heterogeneity of individuals, and counteracts slippery slope arguments by decreasing the probability of future paternalistic interventions. Moreover, autonomy‐enhancing paternalism can be defended based on both liberal values and welfare considerations.

Effect of buprenorphine on genotoxicity evaluation of chemicals by the rat liver micronucleus test with partial hepatectomy.

In the view of animal welfare considerations, we investigated the suitability of modifying the rat liver micronucleus test with partial hepatectomy to include administration of an analgesic drug to minimize pain and distress as much as possible. The effects of the analgesic, buprenorphine, on the genotoxicity evaluation of structural chromosome aberration inducers (cyclophosphamide, diethylnitrosamine and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine) and numerical chromosome aberration inducers (colchicine and carbendazim) were examined. The genotoxicants were given orally to 8-week-old male F344 rats a day before or after partial hepatectomy and hepatocytes were isolated 4 days after the partial hepatectomy. Buprenorphine was injected subcutaneously twice a day with at least a 6-hr interval for 2 days from just after partial hepatectomy. As results, buprenorphine caused neither change in clinical signs (except for one animal death) nor increase in the incidence of micronucleated hepatocytes of vehicle treated animals. In the case of concomitant treatment of buprenorphine and a genotoxicant, one out of 8 animals died in each group given buprenorphine with cyclophosphamide, carbendazim or colchicine (lower dose level only). Slight changes in clinical signs were noted in the group given buprenorphine with cyclophosphamide or carbendazim. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of micronucleated hepatocytes was obtained in concomitant treatment of buprenorphine and genotoxicant compared with genotoxicant alone for 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, colchicine and carbendazim. It is concluded that use of buprenorphine as an analgesic drug to minimize pain and distress for rats that are given partial hepatectomy is not appropriate under the present experimental conditions, because it could enhance the general toxicity and genotoxicity of the test chemical.

Prospects for immunocontraception in feral horse population control: exploring novel targets for an equine fertility vaccine.

Feral horses populate vast land areas and often induce significant ecological and economic damage throughout the landscape. Non-lethal population control methods are considered favourable in light of animal welfare, social and ethical considerations; however, no single effective, safe and species-specific contraceptive agent is currently available for use in free-ranging wild and feral horses. This review explores aspects of equine reproductive physiology that may provide avenues for the development of specific and long-lasting immunocontraceptive vaccines and some of the novel strategies that may be employed to facilitate appropriate antigen discovery in future research. Potential antigen targets pertaining to spermatozoa, the ovary and oocyte, as well as the early conceptus and its associated factors, are reviewed in the context of their suitability for immunocontraceptive vaccine development.

Ethical and Animal Welfare Considerations in Relation to Species Selection for Animal Experimentation.

Simple SummaryWhen making a choice of species for animal experimentation we must balance its suitability as a model for human medicine against the potential harms to the animals both from the procedures and the quality of their lifetime experience. The capacity to experience pain may be similar in mammals, birds and fish. The capacity to suffer from fear is governed more by sentience than cognitive ability, so it cannot be assumed that rodents or farm animals suffer less than dogs or primates. I suggest that it is unethical to base the choice of species for animal experimentation simply on the basis that it will cause less distress within society.Ethical principles governing the conduct of experiments with animals are reviewed, especially those relating to the choice of species. Legislation requires that the potential harm to animals arising from any procedure should be assessed in advance and justified in terms of its possible benefit to society. Potential harms may arise both from the procedures and the quality of the animals’ lifetime experience. The conventional approach to species selection is to use animals with the “lowest degree of neurophysiological sensitivity”. However; this concept should be applied with extreme caution in the light of new knowledge. The capacity to experience pain may be similar in mammals, birds and fish. The capacity to suffer from fear is governed more by sentience than cognitive ability, so it cannot be assumed that rodents or farm animals suffer less than dogs or primates. I suggest that it is unethical to base the choice of species for animal experimentation simply on the basis that it will cause less distress within society. A set of responsibilities is outlined for each category of moral agent. These include regulators, operators directly concerned with the conduct of scientific experiments and toxicology trials, veterinarians and animal care staff; and society at large.

Is Complexity in Antitrust a Virtue? The Accuracy-Simplicity Tradeoff

With the increasing technical sophistication in economic theory and econometric estimation, antitrust assessments have become increasingly complex. Calls to incorporate additional considerations such as business strategy, managerial acumen, externalities, and consumer error would add to this complexity. Such technical advancements and added dimensions to assessments come at a cost. Business managers require expensive legal and economic consultation to ascertain if a proposed practice, merger, or venture may violate the antitrust laws. Judges and juries face similar difficulties in determining liability. The pendulum perhaps should shift back toward simplicity. Simplicity is consistent with different views regarding strict or loose concentration standards, the role of intent, or criteria for per se legality or illegality of various practices. Recognizing simplicity may reopen historical debates over whether economic welfare or other considerations—political power, the right to ply one's trade, the “competitive process” —should define the objectives of a more easily comprehended antitrust law.

Locomotion in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

It is of great importance that zoos provide animals with enclosure space and enrichment to replicate their natural existence. The aim of this study was to examine and calculate the total distance travelled and utilisation of enclosure space by the Asian elephants housed at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens (Melbourne Zoo), Victoria, Australia. The distance travelled was calculated via video analysis, using a grid overlay system to manually track an adult bull and four adult cow elephants between 0600 and midnight. The mean daily distance travelled over the 18-hour active period was 9.05±0.61 km, with an individual range of 6.21–15.00 km. In comparison, when living in non-extreme environmental conditions, wild Asian and African elephants have been estimated to travel an average of 5–10 km each day, demonstrating that Melbourne Zoo’s elephants travel at the top end of their wild counterparts’ range of daily travel distances. The techniques used in the present study allow for the approximate calculation of distance travelled by urban zoo elephants, and could potentially be applied to a range of species kept in captivity. Being able to measure distance travelled could be a very useful tool in furthering welfare considerations and management in a captive environment.

Towards a strategic approaches in alternative tests for pesticide safety.

Pesticides have provided significant benefits including plant disease control and increased crop yields since people developed and utilized them. However, pesticide use is associated with many adverse effects, which necessitate precise toxicological tests and risk assessment. Most of these methods are based on animal studies, but considerations of animal welfare and ethics require the development of alternative methods for the evaluation of pesticide toxicity. Although the usage of laboratory animals is inevitable in scientific evaluation and alternative approaches have limitations in the whole coverage, continuous effort is necessary to minimize animal use and to develop reliable alternative tests for pesticide evaluation. This review discusses alternative approaches for pesticide toxicity tests and hazard evaluation that have been used in peer-reviewed reports and could be applied in future studies based on the critical animal research principles of reduction, replacement, and refinement.

Clothing standards compliance assessment

Purpose – Clothing quality, performance, safety and health have become important considerations for consumer welfare. Properties of these aspects are encompassed on standards which regulates clothing products reaching consumers. The purpose of this paper is to categorize these aspects in a common platform by suggesting minimum requirements expected on readymade garments from which clothing standards compliance assessment is performed. Design/methodology/approach – With the aid of standard compliance assessment model, scored Standard Compliance Rate (SCR) values of the discussed properties of clothing standardization are synthesized from a standard compliance matrix, and the compliance of any clothing standards are assessed and assigned a “Standard Compliance Index/Level (SCI/SCL)” ranging from non compliance to full compliance at six levels. Findings – In reference to the standard compliance assessment model, 12 children and infant clothing standards, three from Kenya and nine from China, and eight protective clothing standards from Kenya, China, Britain and USA, two from each country, were assessed and the compliance level of each standard evaluated and results presented. The results of the study reveal the importance of every aspect of clothing standardization properties to fulfil the requirements of standard compliance assessment whereby, though they meet their role in developing Standard Compliance Index (SCI), they may have different impact depending with the context applied and the scope of every standard. Research limitations/implications – The selection of standardization parameters and characteristics, and the criteria for scoring some of the Standard Compliance Rating was subjective and may require mutual agreements between relevant bodies. Furthermore, this method can only be applied on clothing standards and not other textile testing standards. Practical implications – The proposed method can be applied when evaluating and comparing specific clothing standards between bodies or countries. Clothing SCI would be of primary importance as a guide on required clothing quality specifications to designers, manufacturers, standard regulators and consumer welfare bodies. Originality/value – This research reports the development of an original framework to assess compliance level of any clothing standard using standardization parameters and characteristics considered when determining the quality of a garment. It establishes a theoretical framework of clothing standards compliance assessment, which has not been reported in the literature to date.

배출권 거래를 고려한 쿠르노 모형 기반의 전력시장 모델링 기법에 관한 연구

이 논문은 불완전 경쟁시장의 형태를 가지고 있는 전력시장과 탄소배출권시장에서 수익 극대화를 추구하는 발전회사의 전략적 입찰행위를 분석하는데 사용할 수 있는 쿠르노(Cournot) 기반의 전력시장 모델링 기법을 제안한다. 제안된 전력시장의 모델은 크게 두 부분으로 구성되어있다. 첫 번째 모델은 쿠르노 모델을 이용한 발전회사의 전략적 행위에 대한 모델이며, 두 번째 모델은 환경적 후생을 고려하여 전체 사회적 후생을 극대화하기 위한 시장운영자에 대한 모델이다. 두 모델의 결합을 통하여 배출권 거래를 고려한 전력시장의 모델이 구성되었으며, 이에 대한 내쉬균형점(Nash Equilibrium)을 계산하기 위하여 2단계 최적화 기법(Two-level optimization)을 사용하였다. 제안된 모델을 3개의 발전회사가 존재하는 샘플 전력시장에 적용하여 그 효용성을 검토하였다. This paper proposes a Cournot model that can be used to analyze the strategic behaviors of generation companies which try to maximize their profits in an imperfectly competitive electricity and carbon markets. The proposed model consists of two parts. First, the strategic behaviors of generation companies are modeled based on the Cournot theory. Second, the market operation is modeled based on the assumption that the market operator tries to maximize the total social welfare in consideration of environmental welfare. To find the Nash equilibrium of the proposed model, the two-level optimization technique is used. The proposed method has been applied to an illustrative example of oligopolistic markets. We found that the proposed method has strong potential to analyze the influence of the strategic biddings of the generation companies and the impact of renewable generator on markets where the competitiveness of the markets is not fully developed.

Intentions and Values in Animal Welfare Legislation and Standards

The focus on animal welfare in society has increased during the last 50 years. Animal welfare legislation and private standards have developed, and today many farmers within animal production have both governmental legislation and private standards to comply with. In this paper intentions and values are described that were expressed in 14 animal welfare legislation and standards in four European countries; Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. It is also discussed if the legislation and standards actually accomplish what they, in their overall description and ethics, claimed to do, i.e. if this is followed up by relevant paragraphs in the actual body of the text in the legislation and standards respectively. The method used was an on-line questionnaire from the EconWelfare research project and text analyses. This study shows that the ethical values within a set of legislation or private standards are not always consistently implemented, and it is not always possible to follow a thread between the intentions mentioned initially and the actual details of the legislation or standard. Since values will differ so will also the animal welfare levels and the implications of similar concepts in the regulations. In general, the regulations described were not based on animal welfare considerations only, but also other aspects, such as food safety, meat quality, environmental aspects and socio-economic aspects were taken into account. This is understandable, but creates a gap between explicit and implicit values, which we argue, can be overcome if such considerations are made more transparent to the citizens/consumers.

Revealed norm obedience

We study a rational decision maker who obeys social norms. In our setup norms prescribe choices in some decision problems. The decision maker obeys norms in situations to which they apply and otherwise maximizes her preference relation. We characterize the class of choice functions that can be explained by this decision procedure, relate this procedure to other decision procedures in the literature, and engage in welfare considerations.