Higher Animal Welfare Standards Research Articles

Animal Consciousness, Cognition and Welfare

AbstractThe level of priority and resource given to the care of organisms is influenced by beliefs and understanding about their capacities for conscious awareness. Variation in attitudes to animal welfare around the world today is partly a reflection of this. Improved understanding of the range of phenomena of which animals may be conscious is likely to lead to greater global consensus about the importance of high standards of animal welfare. This is a matter of current relevance. In the global free market there is a danger that efforts in one country to raise standards for farm or laboratory animals will be compromised by competition from others which employ cheaper, less welfare-friendly systems. Scientific developments which inform us about animals’ capacities for pleasant and unpleasant feelings will play an important role in the development of global agreement about animal welfare standards. Deciding which animals might have the capacity for consciousness, and thus for suffering, and of what they might be conscious, are fundamental issues which set boundaries to the ranges of species to be given basic or special forms of welfare protection. In practice, such lines have to be drawn and it is crucial that they are drawn in the right place. This is a difficult but essential task and society looks to scientists for guidance on the matter. There have been many developments in recent years in scientific approaches to the study of consciousness in animals which are pertinent to this debate.

Moving towards low-chemical and caring farming systems

There is awareness and a growing interest amongst sheep and beef farmers towards the potential opportunity that low-chemical and organic markets offer. However, the ability to supply to these specifications is seriously constrained by a general lack of information among livestock producers of the practicalities of conversion to a low-chemical or organic supply system. This paper reports on a recently completed study that examined the knowledge gaps among livestock producers with an interest in further investigating low-chemical or organic production. The challenges confronting the producer are substantial if the opportunities that low-chemical natural and organic markets offer to the sector is to be realised. It is not a get-rich-quick option, and will require a medium to long-term planning and investment horizon. There is considerable ignorance, and hence confusion about the challenges and the conversion process. The study emphasised the importance of conversion planning, including the need for a pre-conversion period on most properties. Developing decision rules for managing at-risk livestock forms an integral part of the conversion plan as they ensure preservation of the production base, maintenance of high animal health and welfare standards, and management of risk. Contrary to popular belief, conversion to organic supply does not have to result in a cessation in the expansion of the production base or a loss in the performance of the current production base. An integral part of the conversion planning process is the continued development of the farm operation's production base. Keywords: conversion planning, decision rules, livestock farming, low-chemical, organic

Recent changes in legislation affecting the animal production industry

AbstractThe economics of production of the livestock sector is heavily influenced by changes to price and support systems but also by the standards set under both domestic and European Community (EC) legislation in the food safety, consumer protection and animal health and welfare areas. This paper addresses these latter issues.In the last 3 years or so the incidence of BSE has led the government to enact several measures to protect both animal and public health. The measures taken and regular publication of information on the disease and research undertaken, has helped restore public confidence in animal products. Increased record keeping and for example, bans on the feeding of ruminant derived protein to ruminants have been designed to eliminate the disease but costs have been borne by the industy. Increased incidence of Salmonella also resulted in much new legislation to which changes have been made as new evidence has emerged. The poultry industry has nevertheless faced new burdens as a result of measures to tackle the disease and restore consumer confidence in poultry products.In the context of the completion of the EC single market the coverage of harmonized trade rules, many of which have existed since 1964, is being widened and rules for domestic and intra-Community trade are being aligned. However, the EC will continue to face the challenge of preventing the spread of disease without frontier controls. This has led so far to new measures, including surveillance arrangements for certain diseases and also to the organization of a disease control infrastructure.The government has given high priority to the promotion of high animal welfare standards. There is also heightened public interest in this issue and legislation has been enacted to phase out certain types of farming systems and require prescribed standards in the handling of livestock. Other initiatives are now on the EC agenda including, for example, the proposed battery hens directive and further rules on the transport of animals.Other issues discussed in the paper are the implications of the Food Safety Act 1990, EC measures on fresh meat hygiene and their enforcement and general food hygiene rules. There has also been much public consultation on the labelling of food. All of these measures have, or could have, significant implications for the livestock sector and these the paper will address.