|
1. The terms of reference of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) are to keep under review the welfare of farm animals on agricultural land, at market, in transit and at the place of slaughter; and to advise Agriculture Ministers of any legislative or other changes that may be necessary. The Council has the freedom to consider any topic falling within this remit. Our membership is at Appendix A.
2. FAWC has not previously examined the welfare of dairy cattle to any great extent and was asked by the GB Agriculture Departments to consider the subject and to make recommendations to Ministers. The need for such a review was especially pertinent in the light of the increasing intensification of dairy farming and increasing production demands. The remit of the study did not include welfare at market, in transit or at slaughter because the Council has previously issued separate reports on these topics.
3. This report summarises our study and makes a number of recommendations.