Centrum for Infektionsekologi och Epidemiologi (IEE) : en ny plattform for okat samarbete mellan ... more Centrum for Infektionsekologi och Epidemiologi (IEE) : en ny plattform for okat samarbete mellan veterinarer, lakare och ekologer
Pigs have a need for manipulable materials to satisfy a range of behavioural needs, which can be ... more Pigs have a need for manipulable materials to satisfy a range of behavioural needs, which can be different in different classes of pig. When these needs are not met, a range of adverse welfare consequences result, one of these being an increased risk for tail-biting in weaners and rearing pigs. The ability to control the risk of tailbiting is essential when aiming to avoid tail-docking. Based on available scientific information this Opinion identifies the multiple interactions between risk factors, welfare consequences and animal and non-animal-based measures on the two subjects requested (i) the absence of functional manipulable materials, for pigs at different stages in life and (ii) tail-biting, for weaners and rearing pigs only. An attempt is made to quantify the relationships between the identified interactions by carrying out a statistical analysis of information from available databases, those being an international dataset collected using the Welfare Quality ® protocol, which was not designed to evaluate risk factors for tail-biting and therefore, it had limitations in fitness for this analysis, and a large Finnish dataset with undocked pigs. Based on the current state of knowledge, the AHAW Panel proposes two simple toolboxes for on farm use to assess (i) the functionality of the supplied manipulable material and (ii) the presence and strength of risk factors for tail biting. Both proposed toolboxes include a combination of the most important resource-based and animal-based measures. Further development and validation of decision-support tools for customised farm assessment is strongly recommended and a proposal for harmonised data collection across the range of European farming circumstances is presented. A series of further recommendations are made by the AHAW Panel.
This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcome... more This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death, for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry stunned using electrical waterbaths and gas mixtures or slaughtered without stunning. For waterbath stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) between the exit from the waterbath stunner and neck cutting and (b) during bleeding. For gas stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) during shackling and (b) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, a toolbox is proposed for confirming death prior to entering scald tanks. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring poultry welfare. The personnel will have to check all the birds and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning with electrical waterbaths or gas mixtures and that they are dead before entering scald tanks. For the animal welfare officer, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of birds that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-birds that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‗normal' or a ‗reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcome... more This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death, for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry stunned using electrical waterbaths and gas mixtures or slaughtered without stunning. For waterbath stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) between the exit from the waterbath stunner and neck cutting and (b) during bleeding. For gas stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) during shackling and (b) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, a toolbox is proposed for confirming death prior to entering scald tanks. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring poultry welfare. The personnel will have to check all the birds and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning with electrical waterbaths or gas mixtures and that they are dead before entering scald tanks. For the animal welfare officer, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of birds that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-birds that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‗normal' or a ‗reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
The slaughter of farmed animals: practical ways of enhancing animal welfare, 2020
This chapter describes the most commonly used methods for the stunning of poultry and the regulat... more This chapter describes the most commonly used methods for the stunning of poultry and the regulatory and welfare aspects in relation to each method.
Stocking density is not the sole crucial factor for broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare; m... more Stocking density is not the sole crucial factor for broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare; management and environmental factors are certainly also very important. When talking about optimal stocking density it is vital to realise that the birds have no choice in this, as in practice economical factors play the most important role in the producer’s decision making process. We must acknowledge that from the producer’s perspective the ethical reasoning behind these choices are based on a view that animals may be used by humans for our purposes as long as they are properly cared for, i.e. fed, given water and are kept in good health. For the general public, good animal welfare for may be defined as ‘animals kept happy and healthy’. Ethical decisions are complex and ethical arguments may weigh differently for different stakeholders, leading them to very different conclusions regarding optimal stocking density and broiler welfare.
In Sweden, laying hens are killed using the following methods: i) traditional slaughter; ii) on-f... more In Sweden, laying hens are killed using the following methods: i) traditional slaughter; ii) on-farm with CO2in a mobile container combined with a grinder; or iii) with CO2inside the barn. The number of hens killed using the latter method has increased. During these killings a veterinarian is required to be present and report to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Data were registered during four commercial killings and extracted from all official veterinary reports at CO2whole-house killings in 2008-2010. On-farm monitoring showed that temperature decreased greatly and with high variability. The time until birds became unconscious after coming into contact with the gas, based on time until loss of balance, was 3-5 min. Veterinary reports show that 1.5 million laying hens were killed, in 150 separate instances. The most common non-compliance with legislation was failure to notify the regional animal welfare authorities prior to the killings. Six out of 150 killings were defined as ani...
Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows... more Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows kept indoors in farrowing pens. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are behavioural differences between primiparous sows kept outdoors in farrowing huts and indoors in pens, and whether the maternal behaviour during the second parity, when all sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts, would differ between sows that have experienced the indoor or the outdoor environment, respectively, during their first parturition. A total of 26 Yorkshire×Swedish Landrace sows were studied. Of these, 11 sows were housed outdoors in farrowing huts during both parturitions (group=OUTOUT). The other 15 sows were kept indoors in a barn with single farrowing pens during their first parturition. During their second parturition, sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts (group=INOUT). The behaviour was video recorded from 2 hprepartumto 48 hpostpartum. The sows’ responsiveness to playbacks o...
The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse profitability is complex,... more The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse profitability is complex, with potential trade-offs between animal welfare costs and benefits. Slaughterhouses currently lack data support for decisions on investments that can improve both animal welfare and profitability. Therefore, this study mapped the economic impacts for slaughterhouse businesses of improved cattle and pig welfare at slaughter. Specific aims were to: (i) highlight the possible economic impact of animal welfare improvements, based on the scientific literature; (ii) develop an economic model demonstrating the theoretical contribution of animal welfare to slaughterhouse profitability; and (iii) validate the economic model through focus group interviews with slaughterhouse personnel in Sweden. The findings indicated that investing in animal welfare improvements could result in accumulation of an intangible asset that can be considered together with other production factors in the economic model. Model validation stressed the importance of selling by-products for the economic outcome and of smooth workflow for productivity. The study thus improves understanding of the economic impacts of animal welfare at slaughter and incentives for slaughterhouse businesses to improve animal welfare. The results are important for public and private policy-makers interested in enhancing animal welfare at slaughter.
European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is an aquaculture species with the potential for expande... more European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is an aquaculture species with the potential for expanded cultivation in the fresh and brackish waters of Northern Europe. Yet, relatively little species-specific information is available regarding the stress responses and associated welfare implications for this species in captivity. We addressed this knowledge gap by using a combination of implantable heart rate bio-loggers and a range of traditional stress indicators (e.g. haematological parameters and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose and ions) to comprehensively evaluate the physiological responses of freely swimming whitefish in captivity, as well as when subjected to aquaculture practices and stressors that commonly occur prior to and during slaughter. Whitefish appeared to recover rapidly from surgery, as resting heart rate decreased within 36 h to stabilize at ~25 beats min − 1 for the next 18 days when fish were left relatively undisturbed (i.e. personnel were only present when feeding fish). In contrast with previous studies on farmed rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, whitefish did not exhibit a clear circadian heart rate rhythm, which may be related to species-specific differences in diurnal locomotor activity. Whitefish also appear to have a well-developed capacity for thermal acclimation of heart rate, as daily resting heart rate did not change during the undisturbed period despite an increase in body temperature from ~6.8 to 11.2 • C. Following acute stressors such as crowding and transportation, the physiological response of whitefish typically involved transient elevations in heart rate, plasma cortisol and glucose, and red blood cell swelling, while plasma [K + ] decreased. In contrast, the heart rate of whitefish plummeted following the combination of brailing (i.e. to haul in fish with a brail/net) and CO 2 exposure prior to slaughter, while plasma cortisol, glucose and [Ca 2+ ] significantly increased. An unforeseen finding concerns the substantial and longlasting physiological stress response observed in whitefish when held in close proximity (i.e. within ~10 m) to a rainbow trout net pen, as the mean heart rate of whitefish increased from ~32 to 43 beats min − 1 (i.e. an increase of ~34%). This may represent an innate physiological response to the threat of predation, which consequently increases the allostatic load and energetic expenditure of whitefish when farmed alongside salmonids. To conclude, this study highlights the importance of performing long-term, species-specific evaluations of freely swimming fish in real aquaculture settings, and provides a platform for further research aiming to determine the welfare implications of simultaneously farming predatory and prey species in close proximity.
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose... more Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket i samband med verkets översyn av föreskrifterna för hund och katt. För att Jordbruksverkets föreskrifter ska vara väl förankrade i den senaste forskningen önskar verket inhämta underlag från det vetenskapliga rådet för djurskydd vid Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, specifikt gällande områdena rörelsebehov, social kontakt och avvänjning.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket (Dnr: 5.2.17-14462/2018) om att Rådet sammanställer forskning om hur den nya digitala tekniken kan användas vid djurhållning utomhus på stora ytor. Önskemålet motiverades av att föreskrifter och kontrollprogram ska vara väl förankrade i den senaste forskningen. Jordbruksverket avsåg med detta: Tillsyn med hjälp av drönarteknik. Tillsyn med hjälp av GPS-teknik. Teknik med så kallade osynliga stängsel. Frågeställningen omfattar alla kategorier av husdjur, men efter samråd med Jordbruksverket fokuseras yttrandet på nötkreatur och tamfår, oavsett syftet med djurhållningen, dock endast djur som hålls utomhus. Yttrandet har baserats på vetenskaplig litteratur. En systematisk litteratursökning gjordes i Web of Science Core Collection, CAB Abstracts® och Scopus från alla tillgängliga publikationsår. Följande söksträng användes: (cattle* OR bovin* OR beef* OR *cow* OR *calf* OR *calves OR *sheep* OR ewe* OR ovine OR lamb* OR *rind* OR *kuh* OR *kalb* OR *kälber* OR *schaf* OR *lamm*) AND (outdoor* OR rangeland* OR enclosure* OR pasture* OR graz* freerange* OR free-range OR "free range" OR *draussen* OR gehege* OR weide* OR freiland*) AND ("new techni" OR "inventive techni" OR infrared* OR drone* OR *positioning* OR gps* OR "invisible fenc" OR "wireless fenc" OR "virtual fenc" OR *accelero* OR *logger* OR *thermograph* OR *telemetr* OR sensor OR sensors OR "neue techni" OR "erfinderische techni" OR *infrarot* OR *drohne* OR "virtueller zaun") AND ("precision livestock" OR *vigilanc* OR *monitor* OR *surveill* OR control* OR contain* OR *präzisionsviehhaltung* OR *wachsamkeit* OR *überwachung* OR *positionierung* OR "unsichtbarer zaun" OR "unsichtbare zäune" OR *kontroll* OR *eindämm*). Sökningen resulterade i 532 referenser efter borttagning av dubbletter. Från dessa valdes relevanta referenser att användas i yttrandet. De kompletterades med referenser från tidigare sökningar och litteraturlistor.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket som har fått i uppdrag av regeringen att utvärdera djurvälfärden hos minkar inom svensk pälsdjursproduktion och bedöma om produktionen, så som den bedrivs i dag, innebär att djuren ges möjlighet att bete sig naturligt. Uppdraget till det Vetenskapliga rådet är att sammanställa aktuell forskning om minkars naturliga beteende och djurvälfärd. SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd har ansvarat för framtagandet av rapporten. Det vetenskapliga rådet består av:
Hot-iron branding is still commonly performed in cattle farming in tropical countries, and possib... more Hot-iron branding is still commonly performed in cattle farming in tropical countries, and possibly has negative consequences for animal welfare and weight gain. This study examined the behavioural and weight gain responses of pure and crossbred Nellore heifer calves subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek, without and with use of anaesthesia and analgesia. Ninety-two heifer calves, around 120 days old, were studied prospectively when subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek (a statutory procedure in Brazil following brucellosis vaccination). Four randomly selected groups of calves were allocated to four treatments: no pain control (CO); subcutaneous anaesthetic local block (LA); intramuscular analgesia (meloxicam) (LT); and local anaesthesia plus meloxicam (LL). Behaviour, flight speed and body weight were evaluated before, during, and five (5-d) and 60 days (60-d) after branding. For these parameters, the only difference observed was higher tension in the CO group 5-d post-...
Centrum for Infektionsekologi och Epidemiologi (IEE) : en ny plattform for okat samarbete mellan ... more Centrum for Infektionsekologi och Epidemiologi (IEE) : en ny plattform for okat samarbete mellan veterinarer, lakare och ekologer
Pigs have a need for manipulable materials to satisfy a range of behavioural needs, which can be ... more Pigs have a need for manipulable materials to satisfy a range of behavioural needs, which can be different in different classes of pig. When these needs are not met, a range of adverse welfare consequences result, one of these being an increased risk for tail-biting in weaners and rearing pigs. The ability to control the risk of tailbiting is essential when aiming to avoid tail-docking. Based on available scientific information this Opinion identifies the multiple interactions between risk factors, welfare consequences and animal and non-animal-based measures on the two subjects requested (i) the absence of functional manipulable materials, for pigs at different stages in life and (ii) tail-biting, for weaners and rearing pigs only. An attempt is made to quantify the relationships between the identified interactions by carrying out a statistical analysis of information from available databases, those being an international dataset collected using the Welfare Quality ® protocol, which was not designed to evaluate risk factors for tail-biting and therefore, it had limitations in fitness for this analysis, and a large Finnish dataset with undocked pigs. Based on the current state of knowledge, the AHAW Panel proposes two simple toolboxes for on farm use to assess (i) the functionality of the supplied manipulable material and (ii) the presence and strength of risk factors for tail biting. Both proposed toolboxes include a combination of the most important resource-based and animal-based measures. Further development and validation of decision-support tools for customised farm assessment is strongly recommended and a proposal for harmonised data collection across the range of European farming circumstances is presented. A series of further recommendations are made by the AHAW Panel.
This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcome... more This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death, for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry stunned using electrical waterbaths and gas mixtures or slaughtered without stunning. For waterbath stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) between the exit from the waterbath stunner and neck cutting and (b) during bleeding. For gas stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) during shackling and (b) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, a toolbox is proposed for confirming death prior to entering scald tanks. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring poultry welfare. The personnel will have to check all the birds and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning with electrical waterbaths or gas mixtures and that they are dead before entering scald tanks. For the animal welfare officer, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of birds that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-birds that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‗normal' or a ‗reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcome... more This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death, for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry stunned using electrical waterbaths and gas mixtures or slaughtered without stunning. For waterbath stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) between the exit from the waterbath stunner and neck cutting and (b) during bleeding. For gas stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) during shackling and (b) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, a toolbox is proposed for confirming death prior to entering scald tanks. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring poultry welfare. The personnel will have to check all the birds and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning with electrical waterbaths or gas mixtures and that they are dead before entering scald tanks. For the animal welfare officer, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of birds that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-birds that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‗normal' or a ‗reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
The slaughter of farmed animals: practical ways of enhancing animal welfare, 2020
This chapter describes the most commonly used methods for the stunning of poultry and the regulat... more This chapter describes the most commonly used methods for the stunning of poultry and the regulatory and welfare aspects in relation to each method.
Stocking density is not the sole crucial factor for broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare; m... more Stocking density is not the sole crucial factor for broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare; management and environmental factors are certainly also very important. When talking about optimal stocking density it is vital to realise that the birds have no choice in this, as in practice economical factors play the most important role in the producer’s decision making process. We must acknowledge that from the producer’s perspective the ethical reasoning behind these choices are based on a view that animals may be used by humans for our purposes as long as they are properly cared for, i.e. fed, given water and are kept in good health. For the general public, good animal welfare for may be defined as ‘animals kept happy and healthy’. Ethical decisions are complex and ethical arguments may weigh differently for different stakeholders, leading them to very different conclusions regarding optimal stocking density and broiler welfare.
In Sweden, laying hens are killed using the following methods: i) traditional slaughter; ii) on-f... more In Sweden, laying hens are killed using the following methods: i) traditional slaughter; ii) on-farm with CO2in a mobile container combined with a grinder; or iii) with CO2inside the barn. The number of hens killed using the latter method has increased. During these killings a veterinarian is required to be present and report to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Data were registered during four commercial killings and extracted from all official veterinary reports at CO2whole-house killings in 2008-2010. On-farm monitoring showed that temperature decreased greatly and with high variability. The time until birds became unconscious after coming into contact with the gas, based on time until loss of balance, was 3-5 min. Veterinary reports show that 1.5 million laying hens were killed, in 150 separate instances. The most common non-compliance with legislation was failure to notify the regional animal welfare authorities prior to the killings. Six out of 150 killings were defined as ani...
Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows... more Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows kept indoors in farrowing pens. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are behavioural differences between primiparous sows kept outdoors in farrowing huts and indoors in pens, and whether the maternal behaviour during the second parity, when all sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts, would differ between sows that have experienced the indoor or the outdoor environment, respectively, during their first parturition. A total of 26 Yorkshire×Swedish Landrace sows were studied. Of these, 11 sows were housed outdoors in farrowing huts during both parturitions (group=OUTOUT). The other 15 sows were kept indoors in a barn with single farrowing pens during their first parturition. During their second parturition, sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts (group=INOUT). The behaviour was video recorded from 2 hprepartumto 48 hpostpartum. The sows’ responsiveness to playbacks o...
The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse profitability is complex,... more The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse profitability is complex, with potential trade-offs between animal welfare costs and benefits. Slaughterhouses currently lack data support for decisions on investments that can improve both animal welfare and profitability. Therefore, this study mapped the economic impacts for slaughterhouse businesses of improved cattle and pig welfare at slaughter. Specific aims were to: (i) highlight the possible economic impact of animal welfare improvements, based on the scientific literature; (ii) develop an economic model demonstrating the theoretical contribution of animal welfare to slaughterhouse profitability; and (iii) validate the economic model through focus group interviews with slaughterhouse personnel in Sweden. The findings indicated that investing in animal welfare improvements could result in accumulation of an intangible asset that can be considered together with other production factors in the economic model. Model validation stressed the importance of selling by-products for the economic outcome and of smooth workflow for productivity. The study thus improves understanding of the economic impacts of animal welfare at slaughter and incentives for slaughterhouse businesses to improve animal welfare. The results are important for public and private policy-makers interested in enhancing animal welfare at slaughter.
European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is an aquaculture species with the potential for expande... more European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is an aquaculture species with the potential for expanded cultivation in the fresh and brackish waters of Northern Europe. Yet, relatively little species-specific information is available regarding the stress responses and associated welfare implications for this species in captivity. We addressed this knowledge gap by using a combination of implantable heart rate bio-loggers and a range of traditional stress indicators (e.g. haematological parameters and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose and ions) to comprehensively evaluate the physiological responses of freely swimming whitefish in captivity, as well as when subjected to aquaculture practices and stressors that commonly occur prior to and during slaughter. Whitefish appeared to recover rapidly from surgery, as resting heart rate decreased within 36 h to stabilize at ~25 beats min − 1 for the next 18 days when fish were left relatively undisturbed (i.e. personnel were only present when feeding fish). In contrast with previous studies on farmed rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, whitefish did not exhibit a clear circadian heart rate rhythm, which may be related to species-specific differences in diurnal locomotor activity. Whitefish also appear to have a well-developed capacity for thermal acclimation of heart rate, as daily resting heart rate did not change during the undisturbed period despite an increase in body temperature from ~6.8 to 11.2 • C. Following acute stressors such as crowding and transportation, the physiological response of whitefish typically involved transient elevations in heart rate, plasma cortisol and glucose, and red blood cell swelling, while plasma [K + ] decreased. In contrast, the heart rate of whitefish plummeted following the combination of brailing (i.e. to haul in fish with a brail/net) and CO 2 exposure prior to slaughter, while plasma cortisol, glucose and [Ca 2+ ] significantly increased. An unforeseen finding concerns the substantial and longlasting physiological stress response observed in whitefish when held in close proximity (i.e. within ~10 m) to a rainbow trout net pen, as the mean heart rate of whitefish increased from ~32 to 43 beats min − 1 (i.e. an increase of ~34%). This may represent an innate physiological response to the threat of predation, which consequently increases the allostatic load and energetic expenditure of whitefish when farmed alongside salmonids. To conclude, this study highlights the importance of performing long-term, species-specific evaluations of freely swimming fish in real aquaculture settings, and provides a platform for further research aiming to determine the welfare implications of simultaneously farming predatory and prey species in close proximity.
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose... more Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket i samband med verkets översyn av föreskrifterna för hund och katt. För att Jordbruksverkets föreskrifter ska vara väl förankrade i den senaste forskningen önskar verket inhämta underlag från det vetenskapliga rådet för djurskydd vid Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, specifikt gällande områdena rörelsebehov, social kontakt och avvänjning.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket (Dnr: 5.2.17-14462/2018) om att Rådet sammanställer forskning om hur den nya digitala tekniken kan användas vid djurhållning utomhus på stora ytor. Önskemålet motiverades av att föreskrifter och kontrollprogram ska vara väl förankrade i den senaste forskningen. Jordbruksverket avsåg med detta: Tillsyn med hjälp av drönarteknik. Tillsyn med hjälp av GPS-teknik. Teknik med så kallade osynliga stängsel. Frågeställningen omfattar alla kategorier av husdjur, men efter samråd med Jordbruksverket fokuseras yttrandet på nötkreatur och tamfår, oavsett syftet med djurhållningen, dock endast djur som hålls utomhus. Yttrandet har baserats på vetenskaplig litteratur. En systematisk litteratursökning gjordes i Web of Science Core Collection, CAB Abstracts® och Scopus från alla tillgängliga publikationsår. Följande söksträng användes: (cattle* OR bovin* OR beef* OR *cow* OR *calf* OR *calves OR *sheep* OR ewe* OR ovine OR lamb* OR *rind* OR *kuh* OR *kalb* OR *kälber* OR *schaf* OR *lamm*) AND (outdoor* OR rangeland* OR enclosure* OR pasture* OR graz* freerange* OR free-range OR "free range" OR *draussen* OR gehege* OR weide* OR freiland*) AND ("new techni" OR "inventive techni" OR infrared* OR drone* OR *positioning* OR gps* OR "invisible fenc" OR "wireless fenc" OR "virtual fenc" OR *accelero* OR *logger* OR *thermograph* OR *telemetr* OR sensor OR sensors OR "neue techni" OR "erfinderische techni" OR *infrarot* OR *drohne* OR "virtueller zaun") AND ("precision livestock" OR *vigilanc* OR *monitor* OR *surveill* OR control* OR contain* OR *präzisionsviehhaltung* OR *wachsamkeit* OR *überwachung* OR *positionierung* OR "unsichtbarer zaun" OR "unsichtbare zäune" OR *kontroll* OR *eindämm*). Sökningen resulterade i 532 referenser efter borttagning av dubbletter. Från dessa valdes relevanta referenser att användas i yttrandet. De kompletterades med referenser från tidigare sökningar och litteraturlistor.
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetensk... more Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet Fakulteten för veterinärmedicin och husdjursvetenskap SLU:s vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd Syfte och målgrupp Denna rapport bygger på det yttrande som SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd sammanställt på uppdrag av Jordbruksverket som har fått i uppdrag av regeringen att utvärdera djurvälfärden hos minkar inom svensk pälsdjursproduktion och bedöma om produktionen, så som den bedrivs i dag, innebär att djuren ges möjlighet att bete sig naturligt. Uppdraget till det Vetenskapliga rådet är att sammanställa aktuell forskning om minkars naturliga beteende och djurvälfärd. SLUs vetenskapliga råd för djurskydd har ansvarat för framtagandet av rapporten. Det vetenskapliga rådet består av:
Hot-iron branding is still commonly performed in cattle farming in tropical countries, and possib... more Hot-iron branding is still commonly performed in cattle farming in tropical countries, and possibly has negative consequences for animal welfare and weight gain. This study examined the behavioural and weight gain responses of pure and crossbred Nellore heifer calves subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek, without and with use of anaesthesia and analgesia. Ninety-two heifer calves, around 120 days old, were studied prospectively when subjected to hot-iron branding on the cheek (a statutory procedure in Brazil following brucellosis vaccination). Four randomly selected groups of calves were allocated to four treatments: no pain control (CO); subcutaneous anaesthetic local block (LA); intramuscular analgesia (meloxicam) (LT); and local anaesthesia plus meloxicam (LL). Behaviour, flight speed and body weight were evaluated before, during, and five (5-d) and 60 days (60-d) after branding. For these parameters, the only difference observed was higher tension in the CO group 5-d post-...
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