Status of law-making on animal welfare

Since the last report there have been major revisions of laws and ordinances. Deliberations on rules of Community law were also continued. On national level, the Act on the Shoeing of Horses amending the Animal Welfare Act and amendments of animal welfare provisions as well as the Deregulation Act were prepared, some of which have meanwhile entered into force. At legislative level, the work on the ratification laws for the Council of Europe conventions (Strasbourg) was concluded in order to enable Germany to adopt the revisions.They include (1) the European Convention for the protection of animals used for experimental purposes and (2) the European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport. At the level of ordinances, the amendment and extension of the Animal Welfare -Farm Animal Husbandry Ordinance are of vital importance for the sections on pig farming and laying hen husbandry. Another section refers to the husbandry of fur animals, on which an ordinance has been submitted to the Bundesrat (German upper house of Parliament). Deliberations on this issue have been adjourned. Drafts of a circus register were prepared to amend the Animal Welfare Act and to adopt a separate ordinance, and they are being discussed with the federal states and associations. Previously,the rules of Community law in the area of animal welfare were adopted as EC directives which the member states had to transfer in national law. This was done by incorporating them into national laws or ordinances, with non-compliance having to be sanctioned. It is the member states' responsibility to establish sanctions. Yet the Commission has introduced a directly operative animal welfare legislation by adopting EC Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. This means that a national implementation is not required. Nevertheless, the establishment of sanctions continues to be the responsibility of the member states. A special authorisation by the legislator is required to be able to impose sanctions based on directly applicable EC law. This is done via the already mentioned Act on the Shoeing of Horses and amendment. To establish sanctions for this Community legislation, a "Sanctions Ordinance" is currently being discussed by the different departments. This way, a link between directly applicable Community legislation and national sanctions is established. At EC level there are currently discussed (1) the "Animal Welfare Action Plan", (2) a draft directive laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production and (3) preparations for a revision of the directive on the protection of animals used for experimental purposes have become known due to the preparation of a related impact assessment. At the level of international law, the Council of Europe has concluded its work on Annex A of the convention for the protection of animals used for experimental purposes. With regard to the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, the deliberations on fish and fattening rabbits are being continued. There is a discussion on the technical details of the Transport Convention. Since the first animal welfare conference of the International Office of epizootics (OlE) in February 2004 in Paris, two very comprehensive codes on slaughter of animals and on animal transport were adopted.The inclusion of further animal welfare issues into the OIE work programme will be discussed in the next future.     

Notification for intended animal research - remarks on the future procedures on the basis of the European Union Laboratory Animal Guideline 2010/63/EU

The new Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes causes a need of several changes in German animal welfare law. On the basis of the regulations in the Directive, adjustments of the existing notification procedures are unavoidable. The Directive includes provisions for a simplified administrative procedure which differs significantly from the existing notification procedures. In any case, an application process will be required for projects in the meaning of the Directive. This contribution comments on the conceivable changes of the existing notification procedure. The implementation of the provisions of the Directive into national law has to be done near-term as the Directive is applicable from January 1st 2013. In advance, political and legal procedures must be passed through, the adapted regulations are to be notified by the European Commission and last but not least the authorities and user establishments must have enough time to implement the necessary changes.     

Protection of farmed camels (Camelus Dromedarius): Welfare problems and legislative perspective

In the last years animal welfare has assumed an increasing interest in our society, influencing legislation to enact many provisions aimed at the protection of animals. Along with increased consumer awareness of the need to maintain ethically acceptable conditions of raised animals, scientists too have begun to investigate the conditions of animal welfare, the tools for its evaluation and for its improvement. Although there are many advances in knowledge, much remains to be investigated concerning many species considered "minor", that is, camels and dromedaries. Dromedaries, recently, have attracted the interest of some breeders following the results of studies concerning the nutritional and therapeutic properties of their products ‐ milk in particular ‐ that make them ideal for some particular categories of consumers, such as diabetics, obesity sufferers, lactose‐intolerant subjects, menopausal women and so on. Considering their use in dairy husbandry, dromedaries are reared under intensive and/or semi‐intensive systems with the resulting emergence of specific needs, which should be fulfilled in order to have appropriate welfare. This paper's purpose is to give practical elements in order to find out dromedary welfare standards, promoting a comprehensive set of regulations on welfare, care and protection of this animal.     

A review of the potential impact of increased use of housing on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand

AIM: To assess the likely impact on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand of increased use of housing. METHODS: Published data on the effect of housing on the welfare of dairy cattle were reviewed to determine whether, under New Zealand conditions, housing was likely to increase or reduce welfare. The focus of this review was on permanent housing, and the welfare outcomes assessed were primarily those associated with biological function rather than behaviour. The five areas of focus were shelter, feeding, calving, lameness, and other diseases, and were based on the welfare concerns expressed by dairy farmers of large herds. RESULTS: The shelter provided by housing dairy cattle would appreciably improve welfare under a relatively small range of conditions. For feeding and calving, both advantages and disadvantages of housing were identified. For lameness and mastitis, published research and comparisons of disease levels in New Zealand with those in other developed dairying countries strongly suggest that increased use of housing will increase the risk of these diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Under New Zealand conditions, housing dairy cattle is likely to have both significant welfare benefits (protection from environmental conditions) and drawbacks (increased risk of mastitis and lameness). New Zealand-based research suggests that in most areas of the country the benefits of protection from extremes of temperature and wind and rain are likely to be apparent on only a few days a year, insufficient to justify the costs associated with housing cattle. Thus, dairy cattle are likely to be housed for longer than required for shelter purposes, increasing the risk of deleterious effects without a balancing welfare advantage from environmental protection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in lameness and mastitis are likely to be associated with the increased use of housing and are likely to be accompanied by changes in the aetiology and presentation of these diseases, requiring better detection techniques, such as measurement of comfort or locomotion score, and new preventive regimes, such as pre-milking teat spray and routine corrective hoof-trimming.     

The transport of animals in the European Union: the legislation, its enforcement and future evolutions

Animal transport is an important activity of the farming industry. It is also the most controversial area of animal welfare. After presenting the current legislative framework in the European Union that protect animals during transport and the main enforcement difficulties, this paper considers the international, political and scientific perspectives that lead the European Commission to draft new rules in this regard.     

动物福利壁垒对中国动物及其产品与相关服务国际贸易的影响与对策建议

作者剖析了动物福利贸易壁垒成因、特征和对国际贸易的影响,指出了中国动物福利存在的问题及与发达国家的差距,评估了动物福利政策对中国动物、动物产品及相关服务出口贸易的影响。提出了构建既适合中国国情又与国际接轨的出入境动物福利保障体系的框架建议：①应积极推动中国动物福利法立法进程;②要切实提高中国动物福利保障水平;③应先行强化出入境动物福利立法;④应在进出口动物福利立法中引入企业推动模式;⑤要充分利用WTO机制应对国外动物福利壁垒;⑥要建立健全动物福利贸易壁垒预警机制;⑦要应用危害分析与关键控制点原理管理动物福利;⑧要逐步建立农场动物福利认证制度。     

关于我国施行动物福利及相关立法的必要性

本文在对动物福利的概念进行阐述的基础上,根据欧美等发达国家养殖业发展的趋势和从我国入世后畜牧养殖业发展的需要和保障消费者权益和健康的角度出发,对在我国提倡和施行动物福利并进行相关方面的立法的必要性作一论述。     

Animal welfare aspects in case of therapeutical emergency

The use of pharmaceutical acting substances in animals for food purposes is restricted by many regulations. The intention of these regulations is the protection of consumers. Under this circumstances a limitation of therapy options can be stated, which is described with the term "Therapeutical Emergency" and can cause animal welfare problems. It is investigated whether pharmaceutical regulations or animal welfare regulations have priority in case of emergency for health and life of an animal. It is discussed whether the various orders by competent authorities to kill an animal under food protective regulations can prove a "reasonable" cause under paragraph 17 of the German animal welfare law.     

Board-invited review: the ethical and behavioral bases for farm animal welfare legislation

Concerns about farm animal welfare vary among individuals and societies. As people increasingly consider the values underlying current farm animal production methods, farm animal welfare policy debates have escalated. Recent food animal protection policies enacted in the European Union have fueled highly contentious discussions about the need for similar legislative activity in the United States. Policymakers and scientists in the United States are apprehensive about the scientific assessment, validation, and monitoring of animal welfare, as well as the unforeseen consequences of moving too hastily toward legislating farm animal welfare. The potential impact of such legislation on producers, food prices, animals, and concerned citizens must also be considered. Balancing the interests of all stakeholders has therefore presented a considerable challenge that has stymied US policymaking. In this review, we examine the roles of ethics and science in policy decisions, discuss how scientific knowledge relative to animal behavior has been incorporated into animal welfare policy, and identify opportunities for additional refinement of animal welfare science that may facilitate ethical and policy decisions about animal care.     

The expanding role of animal welfare within EU legislation and beyond

Animal welfare is being accorded an increasingly important role in today's civil society. Within the EU, this has been enshrined within the specific “Protocol on Protection and Welfare of Animals” annexed to the EC Treaty, obliging Member States and the EU Institutions to pay full regard to the welfare of animals when formulating and implementing Community legislation. There is a growing body of EU legislation on this issue, founded on sound scientific principles (including the role of EFSA in providing independent scientific advice), taking account of public concerns, stakeholder input and possible socio-economic implications. Recent CAP reforms also testify to animal welfare's growing stature in policy-making, with the introduction of the principle of cross-compliance regarding eligibility for direct payments and additional financial incentives for producers to achieve higher standards. Animal welfare is being increasingly perceived as an integral element of overall food quality, having important knock-on effects on animal health and food safety. On a worldwide level, the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) has embarked on an initiative to develop global animal welfare guidelines and standards mandated by 167 member countries and the issue remains on the agenda for future WTO negotiations. Consumers demand higher standards of animal protection and it is incumbent upon policy-makers and legislators to respond accordingly.     

Inspection of laboratory animal breeding and husbandry/experiments on animals, examples

In Berlin, the authorization and inspection of experiments on animals and of facilities for laboratory animal breeding and husbandry are carried out by the same authority. According to Section 16 (1) sentence one no. 3 Tierschutzgesetz (German animal protection act), there are presently 1200 procedures registered and 68 facilities approved to breed and keep vertebrates for experiments (according to Section 11 (1) sentence one no. 1 Tierschutzgesetz). In 2006, the use of 300,903 vertebrates was reported. There are 38 animal welfare officers in the twenty major scientific facilities who are in charge of in-house supervision. The authority visits the facilities where experiments take place at regular intervals to observe and supervise their operations. On request, the facilities must send the records from the experiments to the authority for examination (according to Section 9 a Tierschutzgesetz). With the annual laboratory animal report, the authority can verify the number of authorised laboratory animals. By checking the scientific publications the authority can compare them with the authorised animal experiments. Facilities for laboratory animal breeding and husbandry are continuously supervised. Offences against the animal protection act are prosecuted. When there are deficiencies in animal welfare, the authority sets a deadline to correct the defects. If the deficiency still exists after the expiry of the term, the authority imposes a penalty payment or initiates legal proceedings. The important role of the animal welfare officers (Section 8 a Tierschutzgesetz) is apparent. The majority of supervisions show that there are deficiencies. This indicates that more emphasis must be put on prevention. The facilities must provide better support and resources for the animal welfare officers. Furthermore, the scientists must be more receptive to the animal welfare officers in their role as advisers. Continuous and adequate training is imperative to the goal of maintaining sufficient in-house supervision and to keep the animals from suffering. If in-house supervision works well, the State's role in regulating animal experiments can be reduced.     

Evaluation of current equine welfare issues in Ireland: Causes,desirability, feasibility and means of raising standards

Reasons for performing study: Significant potential threats to the health and welfare of horses exist in Ireland when supply exceeds demand and the identification system for horses is not yet robust. Objectives: To secure engagement with stakeholder groups and determine their perception of equine welfare in Ireland and encourage the development of inclusive, rather than imposed, policy solutions. Methods: A 3 round, web‐based Policy Delphi incorporating novel vignette methodology was conducted from November 2007–March 2008 to canvass opinion (in both quantitative and qualitative forms) on the perceived most significant equine welfare issues. Vignettes (narratives depicting potential compromise to equine welfare) were employed. Quantitative data were collected in the form of scoring on a 9 point Likert scale with labelled end‐points, qualitative information as text subsequently analysed for themes. Results: All 44 respondents completed all rounds. Major equine welfare issues were identified as welfare of horses during the disposal process and at unregulated gatherings. Assessed quantitatively on a 9 point Likert scale (0 = minimal; 8 = maximal), respondents scored the desirability and feasibility of improving standards, median 8 and 6, respectively, for both issues identified. Basic themes identified in respondents' quotes as reasons to raise equine welfare standards were ideological, protection of animal welfare, safe‐guarding the reputation of the equine industry and safety (of people, horses and environment). Themes for reasons for low standards were societal norms, fiscal pressures, indolence, indifference and ignorance. Themes underpinning potential means for achieving meaningful change (solutions) were legislation, enforcement, education/training, fiscal remedies, increasing awareness and a combination of these. Conclusions: Mechanisms aimed at raising standards must be based on an understanding of motivational drivers for currently low standards. Potential relevance: The challenge is to translate the findings and this heightened awareness into meaningful change to the benefit of horses and those who care for them.     

Aspects of animal welfare in livestock production

The modern consumer is increasingly concerned about the welfare of farm animals which are kept in intensive systems on specialised farms where the health and well-being is almost completely dependent on the will, ability and care of the farmer. Further demands related to animal production are consumer health (quality and safety of food products), the protection of the environment and cheap food. The currently used husbandry systems are man made and emphasise automation which requires permanent critical observation of the welfare of the animals. Ethological indicators are equally important as health and performance to evaluate keeping systems. Future animal farming will be influenced by new technologies such as electronic animal identification and milking robots, and more important by biotechnology and genome analysis. Veterinary surgeons and farmers have to co-operate on the basis of scientifically sound animal welfare schemes which help to protect our farm animals in modern and intensive livestock production systems.     

Implementation of cross-compliance in the area of animal welfare

From 1 January 2007, requirements concerning animal welfare were introduced with effect to cross-compliance. Farmers receiving single payment as well as agri-environmental payments (payments of second pillar) shall respect the statutory management requirements of the following 3 directives in the area of animal welfare: Council Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves; Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs; Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. The competent authority shall carry out annual systematic inspections on at least 1% of all farmers submitting payments on the basis of a risk analysis and partly at random. In case of non-compliance with the conditions due to specific rules, there will be a reduction or cancellation of the payments to be granted in the calendar year in which non-compliance occurs. Cross-compliance controls should take place on the basis of documented procedures so as to ensure that these controls are carried out uniformly and are of a consistently high quality. For this purpose, a working group composed of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and from the Lander developed uniform control reports in order to monitor compliance and a guidance booklet for control execution of animal welfare requirements. In the control report (Level 1), the outcomes of inspections of all systematic testable animal welfare requirements are summarized in 6 items. Furthermore, the non-systematically testable requirements are integrated in the control report as a independent item. The guidance booklet (Level 2) with a matrix of validation serves as a specification for on-the-spot checks. Where appropriate, on-the-spot checks provided for cross-compliance and any other checks in animal welfare rules as well as requirements to animal identification and registration shall be carried out at the same time in Baden-Württemberg (integrated control system). Farmers subjected to on-the-spot checks shall be selected on the basis of a centralized common risk analysis and partly at random. This is the best way of safeguarding that the control rate will not be much higher than the established 1% with a minimum administrative burden and costs for farmers and competent control authorities. Integrated check lists for on-the-spot checks were established which take into account systematic cross compliance inspections to improve compliance with 3 existing standards in the area of animal welfare and official controls as proved in Council Directives concerning animal welfare and Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. All staff of the competent authorities performing controls received, for their area of competence, appropriate training enabling them to make their duties competently and to carry out controls in a consistent manner. Integrated systematic controls are very time-consuming and a burden for farmers and the competent authorities. For the beginning of this year, we will expect a discharge by Decision (EC) 2006/778. A controlling system was installed to ensure that cross compliance rules are applied consistently, for example by making subsequent controls by controlling institutions.     

Laying hen maintenance in the future--the Proposal of the Commission for a Council Directive setting minimum standards for the protection of laying hens under various rearing systems]

A prognostic of the keepingsystems of laying hens in the future is done on the basis of the conclusions in the Report on the Welfare of Laying Hens made by the Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Commission and the Commission's Proposal for a Council Directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing. The present discussions in the Councils are reported. It is quite evident, that various keepingsystems will also exist in the future, but the predominant position of battery cages will not stay at that level.     

《家畜环境卫生学》课程内容的扩展

家畜环境卫生学是我国高等农林院校动物科学专业的一门专业基础课。我国畜牧业发展过程中畜产品安全事件层出不穷、畜禽公共卫生安全防御体系薄弱以及动物福利差等一系列问题极为突出,结合世界畜牧业发展注重环境保护和动物福利保障等方面的大趋势,必须对原有的家畜环境卫生学课程内容进行改革。本文结合我国畜牧业发展实际,将畜产品安全事件、畜禽公共卫生安全防御体系以及家畜福利等内容引入本科生家畜环境卫生学课程,以期培养具有现代先进养殖理念的新型畜牧业人才。     

The ethics of animal welfare and the ethics of animal protection

An argumentational analysis of the German legislation for animal welfare suggests that the concept "Ethischer Tierschutz", declared as a state objective in 2002, allows the legislative body greater scope than that utilized so far. The legislator would, in principle, be able to regulate some problem areas which have been repeatedly addressed by the public as well as the ethics. A comparison with Switzerland and the EU-member Austria shows that both countries' animal welfare legislations already reach beyond a strictly suffering-based protection framework by employing additional anthropocentric arguments. The concept "Ethischer Tierschutz" would make this approach likewise feasible in Germany.     

Alteration of the order on animal welfare in farmed animals sections: hen and pig husbandry

The authors report on the recent situation regarding the Animal Welfare Regulation of farmed Animals, which now has additional requirements for hen and pig husbandry, introduced by the amending regulation from 1st August 2006. In particular they describe, which parts of the Council Directive 91/630/EEC of 19th November 1991 with minimum standards for the protection of pigs is originally implemented and where the national legislation demands higher animal welfare standards.     

Animal welfare and workers' protection during electric stunning of poultry for slaughter

Every slaughter process involves problems as to animal welfare as well as safety aspects and the protection of workers. With poultry these are basically concentrated on electrical stunning. Electrical currents and voltages suitable for stunning slaughter animals are principally also hazardous for man in what respect body resistance is of crucial importance. Potential hazards have to be looked upon as present in spite of existing safety regulations. Comparatively high stunning voltages for poultry recently proposed because of animal welfare considerations have met objections not only from the viewpoint of meat hygienic but workers' safety regulations as well. While the former meanwhile could be overcome the latter still has to be investigated, especially as a regulation on the electrical stunning of poultry is currently being prepared. In this respect the question whether adequate stunning efficiency can be obtained by reducing the voltage and prolonging the time of exposure is of special interest. First preliminary results of such investigations are presented. To ensure workers' safety other related aspects should also be taken into account and examined for improvements.     

石家庄市动物园“湿地精灵”展区生态规划设计

石家庄市动物园＂湿地精灵＂展区是近年来动物园展馆设计的一个成功范例,其通过模仿构建野生动物栖息地,从而为野生动物提供接近其原始生境的生活环境。实现了提高动物福利,保护生物多样性,展现动物和环境和谐共存等多重目标。本文对＂湿地精灵＂展区的生态理念、可持续发展理念、和谐共存理念进行了详细调查和分析,以期对我国动物展区设计提供参考。