Philosophy of Approach

6. The welfare of an animal can be defined as its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. This state includes its health, physical state, mental state and biological fitness. The extent to which welfare is good or poor can be assessed using a variety of measures. Although one single measurement can indicate that welfare is poor, studies comparing welfare in different systems, or using different husbandry methods, should utilise a range of indicators.

7. General guidelines for the keeping of animals in such a way that welfare will be good are contained in the Five Freedoms:

• freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
• freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
• freedom from pain, injury and disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
• freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind
• freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

In order to achieve these ends, those in charge of livestock should practise caring and responsible planning and management; skilled, knowledgeable and conscientious stockmanship; appropriate environmental design; considerate handling and transport; and humane slaughter.

8. Whilst bearing in mind the general guidelines outlined above, there is a variation of need amongst animal species. Evidence concerning needs can be obtained from a knowledge of the basic biology of the animal combined with studies of animal welfare and practical observation. Relevant studies which we take into account when they are available include those in which there are investigations of how good or poor welfare is in particular systems and studies of the strengths of animal preferences. Indicators of welfare include:

• physiological changes, abnormalities of behaviour, or changes in the brain which show the extent to which the animal is having difficulty in coping or is failing to cope
• disease incidence, disease severity, and immunosuppression
• the extent of injury or of bodily malfunction
• reduced ability to grow or breed and reduced potential life expectancy
• the extent to which animals must contend with situations which they would strongly avoid
• the extent to which animals are deprived of strongly preferred resources or of the opportunity to carry out behaviours which are important to them
• the levels of any indicators of contentment or of a calm, untroubled life

When identifying welfare problems, it is necessary to consider both the extent of poor welfare and its duration.

9. Welfare assessment concerns individual animals. However, where there are indications of poor welfare, we consider the problem to be more serious when more animals are affected.