Dairy cows and pigs: Animal responses most effective for evaluating welfare

Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of dairy cows and pigs are effective and should be used wherever possible, according to recent scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Two scientific opinions on dairy cows and pigs, published on 25 January 2012, are the first in a series of work on animal-based measures that will ultimately cover all farm species. The opinions support the implementation of the recently adopted EU Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015.

• Primary Source

EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare of dairy cows http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2554.htm

EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare in pigs http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2512.htm

---