Animal Welfare in Organic Systems – a Summary of Four Surveys on Standards Perception and Inspection Practice

M. Hovi (1), M. Kossaibati (1), R. Bennett (1), S. Edwards (2), J. Robertson (3), S. Roderick (4) and C. Atkinson (5)

Abstract
Potential animal welfare benefits and problems in organic livestock production were studied through surveys of inspectors, advisers and veterinarians, a workshop with certification bodies and interviews with producers.

It was concluded that while existing organic standards did not require changes, there was a need for certification bodies to encourage better implementation of standards, for veterinary support on farms to be strengthened, and consideration to be given to formal welfare assessment at farm level.

 

(1) The University of Reading, School of Agriculture, PO Box 234, Reading RG6 7AR, UK;
(2) The University of Newcastle, Department of Agriculture
(3) The University of Aberdeen, Department of Agriculture;
(4) Duchy College, Organic Studies Centre, Camborne, Cornwall;
(5) The Scottish Organic Producers Association, Edinburgh

 

Source
"Organic Farming: Science and Practice for Profitable Livestock and Cropping"
Proceedings of Symposium No. 37, British Grassland Society, 2004
Association of Applied Biologist & Colloquium of Organic Researchers

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Posted October 2007