Introduction
In recent years, animal welfare has gone from being a marginal concern to become a fundamental pillar of modern animal husbandry. This paradigm shift not only responds to a growing ethical awareness in society, but has also proven to be a key factor for the sustainability and productivity of the livestock sector.
In this article, we will explore in depth the new animal welfare standards, their crucial importance and strategies to ensure health and animal welfare, including disease prevention and reduction of antibiotic use.
The New Animal Welfare Standards in Animal Husbandry
The European Union’s new “Farm to Fork Strategy” includes ambitious objectives to improve animal welfare. This strategy envisages a comprehensive review of animal welfare legislation, covering aspects such as transport and slaughter. In addition, options are being considered for implementing a system of animal welfare labeling, which would enable consumers to make more informed choices.
In Spain, as a member of the EU, national legislation is being adapted to these new requirements. A clear example is Royal Decree 637/2021 on basic standards for the management of poultry farms. This decree establishes stricter requirements in terms of sufficient space, lighting and environmental enrichment for poultry. Similar regulations are also being developed for other sectors such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.
The new standards focus on several key aspects. First, a minimum space allowance is established for animals living on livestock farms, which varies according to species and production system.
This requirement seeks to ensure that animals can move freely and express their natural behaviors.
Secondly, emphasis is placed on environmental enrichment, providing animals with stimuli that enhance their physical and mental well-being. This may include the provision of rooting materials in the case of pigs, or perches and sand baths for hens.
Another important aspect is the reduction of painful practices. Measures are being implemented to minimize or eliminate procedures such as tail docking in pigs or poultry butchering, looking for less invasive alternatives or improving the conditions that make these practices necessary.
In addition, transport and slaughter conditions are being improved, with stricter standards on travel times, loading densities and stunning methods.
A crucial element of the new regulations is mandatory animal welfare training for farmers and operators. This training aims to ensure that everyone involved in the care of animals has the necessary knowledge to ensure their welfare.
The Importance of Animal Welfare in Animal Husbandry
Animal welfare is not only an ethical issue, but has significant implications for various aspects of livestock production.
From an ethical and social responsibility point of view, the dignified treatment of animals has become a growing demand of society. Consumers are increasingly aware and demand animal products obtained in an ethical and sustainable manner.
But beyond ethics, animal welfare has a direct impact on improving food quality and safety.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that animals with better welfare produce higher quality food.
For example, beef cattle that have been raised in low-stress conditions tend to produce meat with less oxidative stress, which translates into better texture and flavor. In the case of dairy cows, better welfare is associated with better nutritional quality milk production.
From an economic perspective, although the implementation of animal welfare measures may require initial investments, it is economically beneficial in the long term.
Animals with better welfare tend to be more productive, have a lower mortality rate and require fewer veterinary interventions.
In addition, products from systems that guarantee a high level of animal welfare can access premium markets, where consumers are willing to pay a premium for these characteristics.
Animal welfare is also closely linked to environmental sustainability. Healthier animals with better welfare require fewer resources to produce the same amount of feed. This translates into a reduced carbon footprint per unit of product. In addition, these animals tend to have better feed conversion efficiency, which means they need less feed to produce meat, milk or eggs.
Animal Health: Fundamental Pillar of Welfare
Animal health is an essential component of welfare, and a preventive approach is increasingly being adopted in modern animal husbandry.
This approach is based on the premise that it is better to prevent diseases than to treat them once they appear. To this end, AMBiotec implements customized programs, tailored to the specific needs of each farm and region.
Constant monitoring of health indicators is another crucial practice. This involves regularly observing animals, performing laboratory tests and using tracking technologies to detect changes in behavior or physiology that may indicate incipient health problems.
Biosecurity has become a fundamental aspect of animal health. This involves implementing stringent measures to prevent the entry and spread of disease on the farm. These measures may include controlling access to facilities, disinfection of vehicles and equipment, and strict protocols for handling new or sick animals.
Proper nutrition is another pillar of animal health. Diets are carefully formulated to suit each animal’s stage of production, ensuring that they receive all the nutrients necessary to maintain optimal health.
In this line, increasing attention is being paid to supplementation with probiotics and phytobiotics, which can improve intestinal health and strengthen the immune system. At this point AMBiotec has an excellent range of products and nutritional formulas that guarantee health and animal welfare, obtaining excellent performance in livestock farming.
Stress management is a crucial aspect to maintain a strong immune system. This involves designing facilities that allow animals to express their natural behaviors, implementing management techniques that minimize stress during necessary procedures such as vaccination or transport, and providing environmental enrichment to stimulate animals mentally and physically.
Prevention: The Best Medicine
In the context of animal welfare, prevention has become the cornerstone of animal health. Advanced biosecurity is the first line of defense against disease. This involves implementing strict sanitary farm entry and exit protocols, including the use of specific clothing and footwear, entry and exit showers in some cases, and limiting access to essential personnel.
Quarantine for new animals is another crucial practice. Animals introduced to a farm may carry diseases, so they are kept in isolation for a certain period of time and tested before joining the main herd. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities is also essential to maintain a healthy environment.
Genetics and selection are playing an increasingly important role in disease prevention. Breeding programs now focus not only on productive traits, but also on disease resistance and hardiness. Genetic markers are being used to identify animals with higher natural resistance to certain diseases, and these traits are being incorporated into breeding programs.
Technology is offering new tools for disease prevention. Real-time monitoring systems can detect subtle changes in the physiological parameters of animals, allowing early intervention before serious problems develop. Artificial intelligence is being used to analyze large amounts of data and predict disease outbreaks, allowing farmers to take preventative measures.
Reducing Antibiotic Use: A Necessary Challenge
The overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture has been identified as a contributing factor to antimicrobial resistance, a global threat to human and animal health. In response, the livestock sector is implementing strategies to reduce antibiotic use without compromising animal health.
One of the key strategies is the responsible and selective use of antibiotics. This involves using these drugs only when they are truly necessary, based on accurate diagnostics and following proper dosing guidelines. In addition, emphasis is being placed on the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics when possible, rather than broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Implementation of alternative treatments is another area of focus. This includes the use of phytobiotics and essential oils, which have been shown to have antimicrobial properties and can help maintain intestinal health. Organic acids are also being used as an alternative, as they can create a hostile environment for pathogens in the digestive tract.
Natural immunostimulants are another promising alternative. These compounds can strengthen the immune system of animals, making them more resistant to disease and reducing the need for antibiotic treatments.
Improved diagnostic techniques are also contributing to the reduction in antibiotic use. Rapid and accurate tests make it possible to identify the causative agent of a disease, avoiding the use of antibiotics in cases where they are not effective, such as in viral infections.
The results of these antibiotic reduction strategies are encouraging. A decrease in antibiotic residues in animal products has been observed, which is beneficial both for human health and for access to markets that have strict restrictions on antibiotic residues. Furthermore, by reducing the use of antibiotics, the risk of resistance development is reduced, preserving the efficacy of these crucial drugs for future generations.
Practical Implementation of Animal Welfare
Practical implementation of animal welfare requires a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects of livestock production. A crucial element is welfare assessment. Objective assessment systems need to be established to measure and monitor animal welfare on an ongoing basis.
One of the most widely used systems is the Welfare Quality protocol, developed by a consortium of European researchers. This protocol evaluates animal welfare based on four principles: good feed, clean water, good housing, good health and appropriate behavior. Each of these principles is evaluated using a series of criteria and indicators based on the animal, such as behavior, health and productivity.
Ongoing staff training is essential to ensure animal welfare. All workers involved in animal care should receive appropriate training on the needs of the animals, how to recognize signs of disease or stress, and how to handle animals in a way that minimizes stress. This training should be updated regularly to incorporate new knowledge and practices.
Facility design plays a crucial role in animal welfare. Facilities should provide a comfortable and safe environment that allows animals to express their natural behaviors. This may include the provision of adequate resting areas, efficient ventilation systems to maintain optimal air quality, and spaces that allow for social interaction in gregarious species.
Low-stress management is another important practice. This involves using techniques that minimize fear and anxiety in animals during routine procedures such as movement between pens or during veterinary treatments. For example, in cattle, the “flight zone” principle is used to move animals efficiently and without stress.
The Future of Animal Welfare in Animal Husbandry
The future of animal welfare in animal husbandry is shaping up to be a field of constant evolution and innovation. One of the emerging trends is precision and preventive animal husbandry, which uses advanced technologies to monitor and manage individual animals. This includes the use of sensors and tracking devices that can provide real-time information on the health, behavior and welfare of individual animals as well as programs based on natural products to enhance the animals’ immune systems.
Regenerative production systems are gaining attention as a way to integrate animal production with ecosystem health. These systems seek to mimic natural processes, allowing animals to fulfill beneficial ecological roles, such as improving soil health through rotational grazing.
The integration of concepts of ethology, the study of animal behavior, into the design of production systems is another important trend. This approach seeks to create environments that allow animals to express their natural behaviors, resulting in improved welfare and, often, higher productivity.
However, the road to improved animal welfare is not without its challenges. One of the main ones is finding the balance between animal welfare and economic productivity. While many animal welfare practices can improve efficiency in the long term, some may require significant investments in the short term.
Adaptation to climate change is another major challenge. Extreme weather events and changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can have significant impacts on animal welfare. It will be necessary to develop management strategies and production systems that are resilient to these changes.
Consumer education about the value of animal welfare is another area that will require continued attention. Although awareness of animal welfare is increasing, there is still much work to be done for consumers to fully understand the implications of their purchasing choices on farm animal welfare.
Despite these challenges, the future of animal welfare in animal agriculture also presents numerous opportunities.
Conclusion
Animal welfare in modern animal agriculture has become an ethical, economic and social imperative. As we move forward, it is clear that practices that prioritize animal welfare are not only morally correct, but also lead to more sustainable and higher quality production.
New regulations, along with advances in animal health, disease prevention and reduced antibiotic use, are transforming the livestock industry.
However, this path towards more ethical and sustainable livestock farming requires a continuous and collaborative effort between farmers, veterinarians, researchers, legislators and consumers.
The future of animal agriculture will depend on our ability to balance the demands of production with an unwavering commitment to ensuring a dignified and healthy life for farm animals. In doing so, we will not only improve animal welfare, but also build a more resilient and responsible food system for generations to come.
What is animal welfare and why is it important in modern animal agriculture?
Animal welfare refers to the physical and mental conditions in which animals live. The importance of animal welfare lies in its direct impact on the quality of life of the animals, as well as on the quality of the animal products obtained. A farmer who prioritizes animal welfare not only complies with ethical principles, but also improves the quality of meat and other animal products, such as eggs and milk.
What are the animal welfare standards in livestock production?
Animal welfare standards include aspects such as sufficient space, clean water, adequate feed and veterinary care. These standards are essential to ensure that animals in livestock production live in conditions that minimize stress and promote their physical and mental health. The World Organisation for Animal Health establishes guidelines that farmers must follow to ensure the welfare of livestock.
How does animal welfare affect the quality of animal products?
Animal welfare is not only an ethical issue, but is also directly related to product quality. Animals that live in proper conditions tend to be healthier and produce higher quality animal products. This is because stress and suffering can negatively affect their health, which in turn impacts the quality of the final products.
