title: The Effect of Steps to Promote Higher Levels of Farm Animal Welfare across the EU. Societal versus Animal Scientists' Perceptions of Animal Welfare.
abstract: Information about animal welfare standards and initiatives from eight European countries was collected, grouped, and compared to EU welfare standards to detect those aspects beyond minimum welfare levels demanded by EU welfare legislation. Literature was reviewed to determine the scientific relevance of standards and initiatives, and those aspects going beyond minimum EU standards. Standards and initiatives were assessed to determine their strengths and weaknesses regarding animal welfare. Attitudes of stakeholders in the improvement of animal welfare were determined through a Policy Delphi exercise. Social perception of animal welfare, economic implications of upraising welfare levels, and differences between countries were considered. Literature review revealed that on-farm space allowance, climate control, and environmental enrichment are relevant for all animal categories. Experts' assessment revealed that on-farm prevention of thermal stress, air quality, and races and passageways' design were not sufficiently included. Stakeholders considered that housing conditions are particularly relevant regarding animal welfare, and that animal-based and farm-level indicators are fundamental to monitor the progress of animal welfare. The most notable differences between what society offers and what farm animals are likely to need are related to transportation and space availability, with economic constraints being the most plausible explanation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n Campus Universitario, 10003 Cáceres, Spain. xaveros@neiker.net.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Averós
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n Campus Universitario, 10003 Cáceres, Spain. aparicio@unex.es.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Aparicio
authors.affiliation: Centro Ricerche Produzioni Animali C.R.P.A. S.p.A., Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121, Reggio Emilia, Italy. p.ferrari@crpa.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK. jonathan.guy@newcastle.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK. carmen.hubbard@newcastle.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland. otto.schmid@fibl.org.
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. vilieski@fvm.ukim.edu.mk.
authors.forename: Vlatko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ilieski
authors.affiliation: Wageningen UR Livestock Research, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands. Hans.Spoolder@wur.nl.
authors.forename: Hans A M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Spoolder
keywords: European Union; animal welfare; animal welfare initiative; societal perceptions; standards