Acknowledgements Book of abstracts - Publicaties - Vlaanderen.be

Andrew Butterworth presents Poster 85 during the poster sessions in the Aula.
Session theme 7: Stakeholders' views on animal welfare
157
Poster 85
CREATING THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS FOR A ‘MARKET LINKED’
ANIMAL WELFARE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.
A. Butterworth 1 , L.J. Keeling 2 , I. Veissier 3 , M. Miele 4 , H.J. Blokhuis 2
1
Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, N Somerset, BS40 5DU, UK
2
Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala,
Sweden
3
INRA, UR1213 Herbivores, Site de Theix, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
4
University of Cardiff, School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff, UK
This paper describes how WelfareQuality® (WQ), in collaboration with a commercial
normalization company, has been creating an animal welfare assessment system for ‘market linked’
use, addressing the key areas of feeding, housing, health and appropriate behaviour for pigs, poultry
and cattle, on farm and at slaughter, arranged as 4 principles (and 12 criteria). The technical
documents for this system have the following structure;
A general document which outlines the background to the WQ measures and a ‘scope’ document
which describes the intended uses and areas where the techniques cannot be used.
‘Terms and definitions’ – descriptions which assist the user (both assessor and producer) to be clear
about what is being assessed.
The ‘basic principles’ underlying the assessment methods and a description of the techniques used
for each assessed measure for each species.
A document also describes the overall process leading to creation of reports and scores, and an
annex containing a questionnaire on farm information which can be used to provide management
support to the producer, along with links to training, reference and background material (for
example photographic scales of hygiene scores, lesion scores or video of lame animals).
The technical documents can be updated to enable changes, improvements and new knowledge to
be incorporated.
The paper concludes with discussion on the potential for ‘harmonised protocols’ to give increased
confidence, through use of a structure in line with agreed standards for assessment systems (such as
EN45011) to help to ensure that both the assessed and the assessor are aware of what will be
covered during a farm inspection.
Additionally, the potential for producers to use this information to enable them to use their skills
and innovation to make positive changes is discussed.
Contact information: Andrew Butterworth or email andy.butterworth@bris.ac.uk
Complete address: University of Bristol, Clinical Veterinary Science, Langford, N Somerset, BS40
5DU, UK
Species: General