keeling
TRANSCRIPT
OutcomeOutcome--based welfare based welfare indicatorsindicatorsLinda KeelingLinda KeelingSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Traditionally vets, farmers and scientists have focussed on the animal
Traditionally legislators have focussed mainly on resources• Legislation is a minimum level• Systems with a too high risk of poor welfare are
banned
Traditionally legislators have focussed mainly on resources• Legislation is a minimum level• Systems with a too high risk of poor welfare are
banned• More difficult to legislate for good welfare, as there
are many possible variations
Welfare is a characteristic of the individual animal
The input-based approach to welfare assessment
The outcome-based approach to welfare assessment
We need a sensible combination of both types of measures
INPUTINPUT
Resources available
(resource- based measures)
Management practices
(management -based measures)
OUTCOME
Indicate the animal’s welfare (welfare indicator)
OUTCOME
Indicate the animal’s welfare (welfare indicator)
Response of animal
(Animal-based measures)
INPUTINPUT
Resources available
(resource- based measures)
Management practices
(management -based measures)
Hazards Consequences
We are familiar with resource and management-based measures, but
which outcome-based measure should be chosen? And how do we
choose them?
It depends on the reason for the assessment• Farm management and advice
• The ones that are useful and/or save money
It depends on the reason for the assessment• Farm management and advice
• The ones that are useful and/or save money
• Breeding company • To reduce a problem
It depends on the reason for the assessment• Farm management and advice
• The ones that are useful and/or save money
• Breeding company • To reduce a problem
• Certification scheme• A balanced selection of
different measures
An example of a welfare outcome indicator • Pododermatitis / foot-pad dermatitis / “ammonia burns”.• A type of contact dermatitis:
• Discoloration of the skin, • Hyperkeratosis,• Erosions, and later ulcers, develop.
• Found in broiler chickens and turkeys• Collaboration between Swedish
authority and broiler industry • Linked to legislation and affects
stocking density (ie economy)
INPUTINPUT OUTCOMEOUTCOME
Food pad dermatitis
Air
Water
Feed
INPUT OUTCOME
Food pad dermatitis
Air
Water
Feed
benchmarking
3-point scale
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Pe
rcen
tage
(%)
Year after start of programme
Prevalence of severe foot-pad dermatitis in Swedish broilers
1994-2005
0
2
1
Automatic recording at slaughter
Welfare Quality project
Welfare Quality project
Welfare Quality project
Body condition score
Welfare Quality project
Good housing
Good
health
Comfort around resting
Ease of movement
No disease
No painful management procedures
No injuries
• Number stopping• Number turning back
Photos: A. Velarde, T. Grandin
European Food Safety Authority working on use of animal-based measures
Welfare outcome indicators should be selected to address the specific objectives of the assessment
A ‘toolbox’
The ’tool box’
Science-based measures • According to their ‘essential characteristics’
• Validity• Known specificity• Known reliability• Robustness
• There may be several measures giving information on the same welfare outcome that vary in cost, feasibility, skill needed to take them etc
• EFSA (2012) The use of animal-based measures to assess the welfare of dairy cattle.
• EFSA (2012) The use of animal-based measures to assess the welfare of pigs
Benchmarking and setting thresholds
Desirable measures (depending on purpose of assessment)
Core measures (always recorded – standardised)
Interesting measures (to be developed further)
Development of outcome-based measures should be an ongoing process
Outcome-based welfare indicators• Science-based, common-sense approach to
assessing welfare• Measures placed in the ‘tool box’ according to well
established principles (valid, reliable, etc)• Measures are selected from it according to the
purpose of the assessment.