Eight new programme Tasks of Welfare Quality®
As a result of many suggestions of stakeholders as well as the outcome of the first Conference in 2005 eight new initiatives have started within Welfare Quality®. We present these new initiatives below.
On-farm Economic Implications of Improved Animal Welfare
The relative absence of factual information on the economic consequences of adopting animal welfare improvements on farm became apparent at the Welfare Quality® Stakeholder Conference in November 2005. Representatives of the farming community indicated rightly that the uptake of welfare monitoring and labelling system(s) requires the provision and discussion of such information. This new project addresses the possible economic benefits, as well as drawbacks, of the application of welfare improvement strategies on cattle, pig and poultry farms.
Task leader: Dr Ina Enting, ASG-Wageningen UR, NL
Other partners: CRPA Italy, SLU Sweden
Field assessment of a ‘tail-chew’ test to predict tail-biting on pig farms
An existing sub-task in Welfare Quality® has established a ‘tail-chew’ test which can be used to measure individual pigs’ propensity to chew tail-like objects. For this test to be truly useful in allowing farmers to predict the likelihood of tail-biting, and as a potential selection parameter for future breeding programmes, it is essential to investigate how well it predicts tail-biting on commercial units. This new project will complement sub-task 3.3.1’s ‘single-farm’ design by using multiple farms to increase the likelihood that tail-biting is observed and thus can be related to performance in the tail-chew tests.
Task leader: Dr M Mendl, Bristol University, UK
Other partners: SLU, Sweden; ASG-Wageningen UR, NL
Development of a monitoring system for dairy calves and rearing heifers
Current rearing conditions for dairy calves and heifers may result in welfare problems such as the expression of abnormal behaviours or poor health status. Since this period of life of dairy cattle did not hitherto feature in the efforts to develop a welfare monitoring system in Welfare Quality®, this new project will develop and propose a valid and reliable prototype protocol for welfare assessment in dairy calves and rearing heifers.
Task leader: Prof. C. Winckler, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Austria
Other partners: University of Kassel, Germany; ISA-Lille, France; ASG-Wageningen UR, NL
Monitoring broiler welfare parameters at slaughter using video imaging
Working closely with industry, this project aims to develop an automated, simplified, reliable and easily standardised method for the measurement of important broiler welfare parameters at slaughter, such as foot-pad lesions and breast blisters, using a video imaging technique. This work offers a valuable addition to the efforts of Sub-project 2 by contributing to the breadth of implementation and the overall impact of the WQ broiler welfare monitoring system in practice.
Task leader: Dr I de Jong, ASG-Wageningen UR NL
Other partners: ASG- WUR; Flandrex Nederland BV; Meyn Food Processing Technology BV NL
Development of a prototype training package for farmers to improve their human-farm animals relationship
Multimedia-based cognitive behavioural approaches to stockperson training have been shown to produce a high level of behaviour change, to be appropriate for people with limited formal education and to be the preferred method of learning for stock people. Such training has been shown to improve stockperson animal handling, improve farm animal production and improve farm animal welfare. This prototype training package to developed using the requested WQ support will be based on existing knowledge mainly coming from Australian and French research and development as well as information obtained from research in the EU under the Welfare Quality® research in Wokpackage 3.1. WQ support will permit the initiative to leverage the extensive work that has been done in Australia leading to a cost-effective outcome.
Task leader: Prof. G. Coleman, University of Melbourne Australia
Other partners: INRA France, Institut de l’Elevage France, ASG-Wageningen-UR NL, University of Veterinary Medicine Austria.
The information requirement on welfare products at food service outlets
As an increasing proportion of food is being sold through the food service sector, it is relevant to assess the scope, structure and consumer orientation in this sector compared to the retail sector in focus in Welfare Quality. There are not enough resources available for a comprehensive mapping of such differences. However, through a strategies analysis and case studies, the project team will look at the different dynamics of supply and demand for Animal Welfare products at food service outlets and provide guidance on the information requirement on welfare products at these outlets.
Task leader: Dr E. Roe, Cardiff University UK
Other partners: SIFO Norway, Wageningen-UR NL, University of Pisa, Italy, Sodexho NL, Wageningen UR-ASG NL.
On-farm monitoring of buffalo welfare
The aim is to develop a monitoring system for assessing buffalo welfare at farm level. Animal-related indicators, relevant for monitoring the welfare of buffalo cows, will be included on the basis of what will be proposed for dairy cattle from Work Package 2.4 of Welfare Quality®, after modifications specific to the buffalo. The final scheme will be used as certification system or as advisory/management tool for the farmer. The feedback of information to the farmer and his/her uptake of recommendations may improve buffalo welfare. In addition, the inclusion of a “new” species, with expanding market opportunities, will render the Welfare Quality project more appealing and versatile to stakeholders.
Task leader: Dr G. De Rosa, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Italia
Other partners: Università degli Studi della Basilicata Potenza Italy, Wageningen-UR ASG NL
A European Animal Welfare Platform
The aim of the Animal Welfare Platform is to function as a link between Welfare Quality® and key stakeholders who are seeking to promote animal welfare in their livestock operations and supply chains. The Platform will facilitate mutual dialogue and feedback that will, in turn, stimulate and support the practical application of Welfare Quality® results.
Task leader: Prof. H J Blokhuis, ASG-Wageningen-UR NL
Other partners: McDonald’s Europe, European Committee; Eurogroup for Animal Welfare; Autogrill, Food Animal Initiative, CoopItalia, Deans Foods, Royal Ahold, Amadori.
