Cattle housing practices often have a negative impact on the welfare of beef cattle, according to an opinion from the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) published on Friday 25 July. These practices include insufficient space for the animals, the use of hard and uncomfortable floors, and a featureless environment devoid of natural stimuli, which prevents cattle from expressing their natural behaviours. These conditions can lead to stress and boredom.
The European Commission has asked EFSA to issue a full scientific opinion on the welfare of beef cattle, including fattening cattle, suckler cows, suckler calves and breeding bulls.
Cattle kept indoors should have comfortable bedding, sufficient space, access to roughage, access to the outdoors and brushes for scratching. They must have clean water available at all times and live in stable social groups, according to EFSA experts.
Cattle reared outdoors must also have permanent access to water and easily accessible shelter to protect them from extreme temperatures, according to the opinion.
See the opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/i0u (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)