Training course on Animal Welfare concerning the farming of laying hens and broiler chickens kept for meat production

Transcription

1 Training course on Animal Welfare concerning the farming of laying hens and broiler chickens kept for meat production March, 2012 Viterbo - Italy Barbara Alessandrini

2 2011 Calendar Course title Animal welfare during transport and related operations Animal welfare concerning farming of pigs Animal welfare at the time of killing in slaughterhouses Date and Place June 2011, Italy September 2011, Italy 8-11 November 2011, Spain Training courses on Animal Welfare Calendar Course title Animal welfare concerning the farming of laying hens and broiler chickens kept for meat production Animal welfare at the time of killing in disease control situation Date and Place March 2012, Italy June 2012, Spain Animal welfare concerning the farming of pigs September 2012, Italy Animal welfare concerning the farming of laying hens and broiler chickens kept for meat production November 2012, Italy Page 2

3 General aims To increase the awareness that animal welfare is a value and a science that must be implemented at any level; to put on a network of experts and policy makers, enhancing the application of EU norms and international standards on AW at country level; to implement the sensitisation of industry associations, relevant stakeholders and third countries organisations towards the main AW topics, in order to enforce their proactive role within animal welfare.

4 Learning objectives interpret relevant EU legislation; apply scientific basis for proper housing, management, handling and transport of poultry; assess the existing farming systems (including cages and alternative systems for hens) in relation to compliance with the current EU legislation; monitor animal welfare outcomes throughout practical experience on the farm; carry out efficient inspections at farm level, including practical guidance on how to verify compliance of the farming systems with the EU legislation;

5 Learning objectives verify the traceability of eggs and the compliance with Commission Regulation 589/2008 laying down detailed rules for the marketing standards of eggs; set up and monitor a data collection system for broiler at slaughterhouses; inspect welfare of poultry in farms, according to biosecurity rules.

6 Methodologies Lectures Exercises Case study Study visit Simulation exercise

7 Delegates and Tutors 2 European Commission - 1 DG SANCO -1 FVO 1 OIE 16 Tutors from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom representing NCAs & Governments, Universities & Research Institutions, retailers, NGOs and business operators

8 51 Participants - 31 Countries Austria (1) Belgium (1) Bulgaria (2) Croatia (2) Cyprus (2) Czech Rep. (2) Denmark (2) Estonia (2) Finland (2) France (2) FYROM (2) Germany (1) Greece (1) Hungary (2) Ireland (1) Italy (2) Latvia (2) Lithuania (2) Luxembourg (1) Malta (1) Netherlands (1) Norway (1) Poland (2) Portugal (1) Romania (3) Slovakia (2) Slovenia (2) Spain (2) Sweden (2) Turkey (1) United Kingdom (1)

9 Expectations (1/2) Farm inspections; to learn more on other MS implementation and enforcement issues, to share professional and practical experiences; to be fully aware of all developments in the area in order to strengthen national policies concerning the farming of laying hens and broiler chickens kept for meat production; to improve knowledge and interpretation of relevant EU legislation concerning Animal Welfare in poultry farm (laying hens, broilers and game birds); farming of laying hens and broiler chickens: legislation versus practice;

10 Expectations (2/2) scientific basis on farm control and on risk based control; to adopt a co-ordinated approach to law interpretation, with particular reference to enriched cages; to evaluate different enforcement strategies related to the meat chicken directive; to improve knowledge of technical advances to meet current legislative requirements.

11 Relevant issues to be discussed (1) Traceability of different measures; how to assess the ventilation in broiler houses; when to oblige a broiler farm to keep a lower density; procedure for inspections at farm level; calculations and report of cumulative daily mortality in broilers farms;

12 Relevant issues to be discussed (2) Benefits and disadvantages of access to perches, especially during the grower phase of laying hens life; need of specific legislation concerning animal welfare for rearing of layers; acceptable level of mortality in poultry flocks; post mortem assessment of welfare unified parameters and limits; laying hens: cage versus no-cage systems, experiences with various no-cage systems Problems in extensive systems (outdoor) for laying hens and broilers

13 Relevant issues to be discussed (3) main problems detected on law implementation; checking of foot dermatitis; importance of light for welfare of broilers; disease control as welfare issue; implementation of broiler directive (2007/43/EY) in different countries. Litter area and material for laying hens in furnished cages;

14 Relevant issues to be discussed (4) minimum requirements for "nest" area and how this relates to the Commission and EFSA reports on what constitutes a nest; practical approach to "furniture" in enriched cages e.g. perches and feed troughs etc., and approaches to measurement; practical advice on fulfilling the animal welfare inspections in broiler chicken halls (shall inspect approximately 150 halls in the next 1,5 years).

15 Relevant issues to be discussed (3/3) Existing welfare standards for laying hens and broiler chickens; trigger levels for welfare indicators Cognitive approach to animal welfare; emotional and mental state of hens; brain asymmetries and animal welfare Replacement of unenriched cage-system with enriched one, or adequate alternative system Changes/news in EU legislation regarding AW issues The differences between the laws and regulations about welfare in the EU countries Broilers: Density related to welfare for broilers. Climate in houses related to dermatitis on the footpads. Selection of fast growing broilers, is this related to good animal welfare? Lighting management in broilerhouses related to animal welfare. Animal welfare of broilerparents Laying hens: Different housing systems related to animal welfare Climate: toxic gasses ( ex. NH3 ) in poultry houses and impact of animal welfare

16 Agenda March 13 EU legislation FVO findings on the implementation of EU requirements on welfare of laying hens Experiences and perspectives of Member States Panel discussion Group activity

17 Agenda March 14 Morning Welfare of laying hens: definition Housing systems and hens: risk to welfare Hen behaviour and behavioural priorities Physiology and stress indicators Welfare assessment protocols on farm Integrated assessment of laying hens welfare on farm in compliance with the current EU legislation Welfare risk related to management procedures Case study

18 Agenda March 14 Afternoon EU legislation FVO findings on the implementation of Council Directive 2007/43/EC Experiences and perspectives on the state of implementation of the broilers directive by MS CAs Broiler chickens: the risk factors affecting AW on farm Welfare assessment protocols on farm Data collection at slaughterhouse Case study

19 Agenda March 15 In field exercises Group activity March 16 Farmers and Industry s perspectives Retailers perspectives NGO s perspective Conclusions

20 Social programme March 14 Social dinner at the hotel restaurant Le Colonne March 15 City sightseeing

21 We hope you ll spend some beautiful days with us!