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Nicole Bartiaux-Thill presents Poster 84 during the poster sessions in the Aula.
Session theme 7: Stakeholders' views on animal welfare
156
Poster 84
DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND STAKEHOLDERS’
ARGUMENTS
N. Bartiaux-Thill 1 , P. Stassart 2 , C.l. Lamine 3 , J. Wavreille 1 , Y. Beckers 4 , A. Théwis 4
1
Centre Wallon de Recherches agronomiques, Département Productions et Nutrition animales, Gembloux,
Belgium
2
Département des Sciences et Gestion de l’Environnement, Université de Liège, Arlon, Belgium
3
Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon, France
4
Faculté universitaire des Sciences agronomiques de Gembloux, Unité de Zootechnie, Gembloux, Belgium
The aim of the study is to explore the issue of animal welfare in an attempt to go beyond the
standard, very sectorial treatment and take account of the different stakeholders’ views.
Methodology consists of a comprehensive survey based on individual interviews with players
concerned, whether acting in an official capacity (animal welfare bodies, consumer associations,
professional agricultural organisations, institutional players, welfare council, etc.) or stakeholders
actively involved in the issue (farmers and consumers).
As was to be expected, definitions of animal welfare vary greatly between the players involved.
They fall into two opposing categories: according to the first, animal welfare can be objectivized;
according to the second, it is a philosophical and ethical question that cannot be objectivized. A
third, midway position considers it a matter of acceptability. In the face of all these concepts,
animal welfare ought to be regarded as a political issue, in the wider sense, which should lead to a
review of standards and knowledge, again in the wider sense.
Different arguments are put forward by the various stakeholders.
Where consumers are concerned we note that their arguments intersect with those of other
stakeholders. On the one hand, they share questions with animal welfare bodies about the future of
the agricultural system and its link with the environment and, on the other hand, they are concerned,
along with producers and middlemen, about the cost of animal welfare measures and about meat
quality.
The comprehensive survey and exploration of the animal welfare arguments are a preliminary step
that will pave the way for subsequent participation in a joint initiative by all the stakeholders.
Contact information: Nicole Bartiaux-Thill or email bartiaux@cra.wallonie.be
Complete address: 8, rue de Liroux, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Species: General