According to animal welfare recommendations published in two new scientific opinions by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Tuesday 16 May, dairy cows, ducks, geese and quails need more space and better housing.
These opinions are part of a series of analyses on improvements in farm animal welfare to help the European Commission formulate its proposals for reforming animal welfare rules (see EUROPE 13167/4).
Dairy cows. Sufficient space in which to move around and rest is an important factor in the welfare of dairy cows. Scientific evidence shows that cows permanently tethered in stalls suffer, and this practice should be avoided, according to EFSA. Each cow should have access to a total indoor space (including a lying area) of at least 9 m².
Other recommendations are as follows: - provide dairy cows with access to pastures with drained and shaded areas; - regularly check for lameness, mastitis and metabolic disorders; - use brushes in all loose housing systems (systems where cows are not tied up) to allow cows to perform natural behaviours such as scratching and grooming. If cows are in cubicles, they should have individual space and sufficient bedding.
‘No’ to cages for ducks, geese and quails. EFSA scientists assessed breeding stock systems, as well as those used for birds for meat, foie gras and egg production. EFSA has identified several risks that have a negative impact on the welfare of birds and proposes to avoid the use of rearing systems, commonly known as cages, for ducks, geese and quails. In addition, rearing systems used during the overfeeding period for foie gras production in ducks and geese should be avoided, as they have significant welfare consequences for the birds, according to EFSA. The practice of ‘force-feeding’ for foie gras production has not been assessed by the experts at this stage.
EFSA recommends that birds should have more space and enriched enclosures of sufficient height, to allow a person to enter to inspect the animals. Other recommendations include the need for: - waterfowl to have open water to swim in or to dip their heads in; - Japanese quails to benefit from thin areas and materials for dust baths; - solid floors with litter and rough materials to allow the birds to explore and forage; - nesting facilities for birds.
EFSA has already examined the cases of farmed pigs, chickens and laying hens, calves and animal transport. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)