Animal welfare: future knowledge, attitudes and solutions

Animal welfare is a factor which affects public acceptability of animal usage systems and hence sustainability. The concepts of welfare, need, stress, health, pain, emotion and feeling are defined and the relationships amongst these are discussed. The scientific assessment of animal welfare, including animal health, has developed rapidly in recent years and the sophistication of this will improve further. Methods of assessment of welfare on-farm and in other animal keeping places is also developing and will provide better tools for animal keepers and inspectors in future. Public concern about the welfare of animals has increased and is increasing rapidly. This has occurred, in part, because of new knowledge about animal abilities and an expansion in the concept of which individuals are sentient. Legislation has an effect on animal welfare if adequately enforced. Recent welfare legislation in Europe and prospects for new legislation are reviewed. Legislation is needed in relation to animal breeding and some aspects of system manufacture as well as in defining how animals should be treated by those responsible for them. The impact of the O.I.E. on world standards is becoming more significant. At present, the greatest effects on animal welfare are the standards set by bulk purchasers of animal products, principally supermarkets and fast food chains. The actions of farmers and others involved in animal usage also have major effects on animal welfare. These actions are affected by financial considerations but also by pressure from purchasers, legislation and the attitudes of family, friends, visitors, other users and the general public. Inclusion of scientific information about animal welfare in university and training courses changes attitudes and practices, generally resulting in improved welfare.