Understanding, Assessing and Improving Farm Animal Welfare

Improving welfare in farmed animals is good for productivity, consumer demand and, of course, the animals themselves. Covering the current scientific knowledge on the sensitivity and consciousness of animals, this translation of the Le Bien-être des animaux d’élevage series reviews how to understand, assess and then improve farm animal welfare. Beginning with the philosophical and legal history of the consideration of their well-being, it synthesizes this information to build a common reference so that we all share the same notion of what animal welfare actually is. It then evaluates the welfare assessment process, which must be as reliable and objective as possible and require the use of appropriate indicators. Fully outlined in reference documents, these are summarized at the level of specific farming situations for easy reference. Concluding with the different ways of improving animal welfare, the book takes a holistic approach, considering the animals’ physical and social environment, the integrated management of their health, the relationship between human and animal, the management of animal suffering, and treatment of animals during transportation and slaughter. Suitable for students and researchers of animal agriculture, animal science and veterinary medicine, this book provides an approachable and comprehensive coverage of this important topic.