The Regulation (EC) n. 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development includes a specific measure for payments for animal welfare. This measure requires the evaluation of the initial well-being condition of the participating farms. The Tuscany Region included this measure in its rural development program for the period 2007-2013, supporting 219 cattle and dairy sheep farms. This study aims at evaluating animal welfare on a sample of 42 dairy sheep farms. Farm surveys were performed to collect information on farm management and to measure structure characteristics. A software was developed, that grades farms after processing data. The latter were recorded through a checklist, built upon objective and easily measurable parameters. Each parameter was scored according to its importance. The check-list embraced five focal areas: management; farming system; environment control; feeding and water supply; hygiene, health and behavioural aspects. The major parameters considered for evaluation were: mutilation; number of animals per hectare of pasture; space allowance; building ventilation; milking waiting area; watering system and sanitary control. An Excel spreadsheet was created to input the data and automatically assign both a partial and a total score to each area. Depending on the score, areas as well as farms were evaluated according to five classes of increasing level of animal welfare. The study displays an initial situation characterized by a satisfactory level of well-being, with only 10% of holdings showing deficiencies that place them at the minimum level. However, no farm in the sample reached the highest rating, corresponding to an excellent condition. The survey also revealed farmer’s awareness of the importance of the issue, and his/her ability to use the measure 215 as a tool for improving animal welfare on farm.
Animal welfare assessment in sheep farms in Tuscany
GIULIOTTI, LORELLA;BENVENUTI, MARIA NOVELLA
2013-01-01
Abstract
The Regulation (EC) n. 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development includes a specific measure for payments for animal welfare. This measure requires the evaluation of the initial well-being condition of the participating farms. The Tuscany Region included this measure in its rural development program for the period 2007-2013, supporting 219 cattle and dairy sheep farms. This study aims at evaluating animal welfare on a sample of 42 dairy sheep farms. Farm surveys were performed to collect information on farm management and to measure structure characteristics. A software was developed, that grades farms after processing data. The latter were recorded through a checklist, built upon objective and easily measurable parameters. Each parameter was scored according to its importance. The check-list embraced five focal areas: management; farming system; environment control; feeding and water supply; hygiene, health and behavioural aspects. The major parameters considered for evaluation were: mutilation; number of animals per hectare of pasture; space allowance; building ventilation; milking waiting area; watering system and sanitary control. An Excel spreadsheet was created to input the data and automatically assign both a partial and a total score to each area. Depending on the score, areas as well as farms were evaluated according to five classes of increasing level of animal welfare. The study displays an initial situation characterized by a satisfactory level of well-being, with only 10% of holdings showing deficiencies that place them at the minimum level. However, no farm in the sample reached the highest rating, corresponding to an excellent condition. The survey also revealed farmer’s awareness of the importance of the issue, and his/her ability to use the measure 215 as a tool for improving animal welfare on farm.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
