Jim Reynolds DVM, MPVM Western University College of Veterinary Medicine

Transcription

1 NAVC Scientific Program January 16, 2011 Orlando, Florida Overview of Welfare Jim Reynolds DVM, MPVM Western University College of Veterinary Medicine

2 An Overview of Animal Welfare What is welfare? Definition of welfare What the animals need Why do we continue to discuss animal welfare? How do we know when animals have good welfare? Current welfare programs where are we now? If we understand what animals need we can develop and manage systems of production that allow good welfare NAVC

3 What is animal welfare? The definition is evolving because animal welfare is a consensus of ethics and opinions. Animal welfare is the viewpoint that animals, especially those under human care, should not suffer. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/animal welfare The protection of the health and well-being of animals. NAVC

4 What is animal welfare? Former AVMA definition: Animal welfare is the ethical responsibility of ensuring animal well-being. Animal well-being is the condition in which animals experience good health, are able to effectively cope with their environment, and are able to express a diversity of species-typical behaviors. Protecting an animal's welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs NAVC

5 What is animal welfare? Current AVMA Definition: Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal. Assessment of welfare includes consideration of the animal's health, behavior, and biological function 1. Protecting an animal's welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs Definition provided by American College of Animal Welfare Organizing Committee NAVC

6 Animal Welfare Welfare is a wide term that embraces the physical and mental well-being of an animal. Any attempt to evaluate welfare, therefore must take into account the feelings of the animals that can be derived from the structure and functions and also from their behavior. Brambell report, 1965 NAVC

7 The Five Freedoms: welfare ideals for farm animals 1 FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor. 2 FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. 3 FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. 4 FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal s own kind. 5 FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. NAVC

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9 What do the Animals Need? Animal Husbandry Animal Welfare The Five Freedoms in an Animal Care Context: 1) Nutrition feed and water 2) Housing cow comfort; clean, dry, comfortable housing 3) Health disease prevention, recognition and treatment; euthanasia when necessary 4) Animal behavior and social interaction - animals need to interact and manifest typical behaviors 5) Minimal stress calm handling and secure housing NAVC

10 What do the Animals Need? We have an obligation to care for the animals so they are: Comfortable Healthy Have relatively normal social interaction NAVC

11 Example: Freestall maintenance: effects on lying behavior of dairy cattle Cows given access to freestalls with differing amounts of sand bedding 0, 2.5, 4, 5.5 inches below curb level Cows in freestalls 5.5 inches below curb spent 2.3 hours less time lying Cows Prefer Clean, Dry Bedding Drissler M, Gaworski M, Tucker CB, Weary DM. J Dairy Sci Jul;88(7): NAVC

12 Why do we continue to discuss animal welfare? There have been 2 major changes in animal agriculture in recent decades. 1) widespread adoption of confinement production 2) increased consumer concern for the wellbeing of farm animals Livestock production systems can be at odds with society s expectations of welfare NAVC

13 Why do we use livestock for food? Livestock represent sources of high-quality protein Photosynthesis to meat, milk and eggs Historically allowed storage of protein Allows by-product feeds to be converted to protein Example: distillers grain Value-added for economy ( grass to milk ) NAVC

14 Billions Millions Modern Livestock Farming USA Population The US and World population is increasing rapidly Livestock production is consolidating More production from fewer farms and animals World Population (US Census Bureau) NAVC

15 If production/cow had stayed same we would need 1.5 million more cows NAVC

16 Modern Farming in the USA Farms responding to market forces by consolidating Emphasis has been on efficiency of production Organic market increased over past few years Welfare appears to have some effect on consumer spending Bottom Line: People want animals products Animal Welfare is now part of Animal Husbandry We will continue to manage livestock in intensive systems 16

17 What do Consumers Expect or Want? Consumers expect livestock to be raised humanely The market for organic and welfare certified products has been increasing But seems to be discretionary-income dependent Ethics vs. practice = cognitive dissonance NAVC

18 Latent Cognitive Dissonance Consumers may feel cognitive dissonance associated with their consumption of livestock products because of animal welfare concerns over the way in which those products are produced Results in feelings of psychological discomfort Bennett JAgEcon 46(1)(1995)46-60 NAVC

19 Consumer surveys in the EU: EU consumers say welfare is important But may be secondary to food safety, taste, nutrition Many feel production information should be part of labeling May be secondary to price Statements not consistent with buying The Welfare of Cattle NAVC

20 % EU25 Rating of Welfare of Dairy Cows Eurobarometer 229 "Attitudes of consumers towards the welfare of farmed animals 2005" 60 56% % 10 10% 5% 10% 0 Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad DK NAVC

21 Which 3 Farm Animals Should Have Welfare Improved? Eurobarometer 229: Attitudes of consumers towards welfare 2005 Laying hens Broilers Pigs beef cattle Dairy cows Calves Turkeys Ducks/geese Horses Farmed fish Rabbits Sheep None of the above All of the above Don't know NAVC

22 Farm Animal Welfare in the US The Animal Agriculture Industry in the US is not uniform Facilities and management varies between region and within regions Difficult to make common standards Issues such as livestock welfare have traditionally been areas for industry self regulation Rather than government regulation Federal welfare laws exempt livestock State Initiatives NAVC

23 US Federal Farm Welfare Laws Humane Slaughter Act Originally passed 1958 Applies only to livestock Excludes poultry, rabbits and fish Allows ritual slaughter practices (Halal and kosher) 28 hour transport rule Livestock must be rested, fed and watered at 28 hours of transport NAVC

24 US Welfare Laws Since 2002 Slide courtesy of Dr. Jan Shearer Practices Banned in Recent Time Sow gestation stalls Florida 2002, Arizona 2006, Oregon 2007, Colorado 2008 Veal crates Arizona 2006, Colorado 2008 Tail Docking of Dairy Cattle Outlawed in California 2009 Foie gras California 2004 Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (Proposition 2) California 2008 Passed by wide margin (63 yes vs. 36 no) Provisions of the Act Animals must have sufficient space to lie down, turn around, groom, stretch limbs freely Maine - As of January 1, 2011, gestation stalls and veal crates will be prohibited 24

25 Farm Animal Welfare in the US Animal Welfare is dependant on the owner s values and attitudes Not related to the size of the dairy or farm USA: Industry standards and programs Voluntary regulation EU: Government regulations requiring group housing for veal calves phase out gestation stalls and battery cages NAVC

26 Assessment of Animal Welfare Approaches that assess: 1) physical attributes (e.g., physiology, production) 3) natural environment (whether the animals live in the natural conditions where they started). Ethological need 2) feelings (beyond behavior to cognition) From AVMA Animal Welfare Forum Swine Housing Fall 2004 NAVC

27 Welfare Assessments and Audits Approach to assure consumers animal care meets standards Non-governmental Market - driven Provides an assessment or an audit to the farm regarding animal care and welfare Assessment provides report to owner detailing strengths and weaknesses on farm Audit covers all areas of cow comfort and welfare NAVC

28 Goals for Welfare Assessments and Audits To determine if the welfare for animals on a farm is appropriate for that species Verification using a written audit tool Uses standards developed for that species and production system Can be used to: Assure consumers animals are cared for properly Internal verification for dairy management Find areas for veterinary consultation NAVC

29 Welfare Assessment and Audit Principles Welfare is a combination of facilities and people Welfare audits should not dictate the management of a farm Audits should verify that animals are cared for properly, to contemporary standards The farm management will meet each standard in its own way NAVC

30 Animal Production Industry Standards 1) Must be clear that the welfare and interests of the animals have appropriate weight relative to the human use of the animals 2) Consumers must have confidence that the standards are taken seriously and that livestock producers will follow the recommended practices 3) Producers must believe the standards are established and administered fairly Thompson, P. B Animal agriculture and the welfare of animals. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 226: Standards must be real and they must be enforced NAVC

31 Techniques for assessing welfare 2 basic methods: 1) outcome based Use animals to see if standards are met 2) protocols Create a system or facility that should result in the desired outcome NAVC

32 Techniques for assessing welfare Audits should be, as much as possible, outcome based Less subjective / more objective More repeatable More verifiable Outcomes assessed using scoring systems Documented Trainable NAVC

33 Example What does the cow or calf need regarding housing? Clean, dry and comfortable Allows most behaviors Protocol-based: Measure freestall and bedding dimensions Outcome-based: Hygiene scores Locomotion/lameness scores Leg/hock lesions scores NAVC

34 Example: Navel management of calves Goal is to not have swollen/infected navels Navel infections primarily associated with sanitation of calving environment Protocol assessment: Dip navels in a disinfectant Outcome assessment: Determine percentage of calves with swollen navels NAVC

35 Assessment of Key Welfare Parameters on dairies 1) Nutrition feed and water BCS: % of cows < 2.0 and > 4.0 2) Housing clean, dry, comfortable housing Hygiene scores Hock scores or lesions Locomotion scores: % > 2 3) Health disease prevention, recognition and treatment, euthanasia 4) Animal behavior and social interaction 5) Minimal stress calm handling and secure housing 6) Management is management committed to the welfare of the animals? NAVC

36 What do we need to assure consumers about? People want animals cared for humanely Difference between expectations and reality creates conflict Industry must develop standards that allow good welfare Industry must actually take care of cows and calves to industry standards Third-party audits to the standards 36

37 National Dairy FARM Program Farmers Assuring Responsible Management SM Mission: To demonstrate and verify that U.S. milk producers are committed to providing the highest standards of animal care and quality assurance. A nation-wide, verifiable program that addresses animal well-being. Third-party verification ensures the validity and the integrity of the program to our customers and consumers. 37

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39 Animal Husbandry Animal Welfare Cattle must be taken care of properly to be comfortable and to produce economically Consumers of livestock products expect us to treat the animals humanely Farm animal care and welfare programs will only make life better for the animals, the workers and the owners Animals must always be treated with compassion, dignity and respect NAVC