Ahead to Appendix A: Membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Council |
34. The MAFF publication "Heat Stress in Poultry - Solving the Problem" should be amended specifically to include turkeys as a species and night cooling in periods of high temperature. (paragraph 30)
35. The industry should be encouraged to investigate changes (e.g. enriching and modifying the environment) so that measures such as low levels of light are not needed to minimise injurious behaviour. (paragraph 43)
36. It is essential that further research and development are undertaken as a matter of urgency to determine the optimum light intensity and pattern for turkeys reared indoors which will increase light levels and minimise welfare problems. This information will be required within a 5-year period to enable the Council to review its position. We expect to see levels increased to well above 5 lux within this period. (paragraph 46)
37. Enteric disorders and diet-associated problems require further study and we recommend that the Government and the industry continue to sponsor research on these issues. (paragraph 50)
38. Studies should be carried out to ascertain the materials and means which are the most effective for enriching the environment for turkeys to promote activity and reduce injurious behaviour, and which are also safe for the birds (e.g. those which avoid introducing infectious diseases into the sheds). (paragraph 53)
39. There must be more research into beak-trimming to obviate the need for secondary trimming. (paragraph 62)
40. It should be the long-term aim of the industry to end beak-trimming by, for example, producing a less aggressive strain of turkey. (paragraph 64).
41. There is an urgent requirement for research to determine the relationship between stocking density and turkeys' needs, including those to show particular behaviours. This work should be completed by the year 2000 at which time our stocking density recommendation should be reconsidered, with a view to the introduction of a legislative control. (paragraph 74)
42. We recommend research to establish at what point leg problems, particularly in heavy breeding stags, result in pain or other aspects of poor welfare and into the predisposing factors and pathological lesions which may be associated with leg disorders. (paragraph 87)
43. "Shaky leg syndrome", which appears to be the commonest leg disorder of turkeys, is not characterised by any distinctive pathology. The condition requires further research. (paragraph 88)
44. We recommend funding of more research and development to produce a safe, effective live vaccine to control TRT which is suitable for mass application and that its availability be assured. (paragraph 95)
45. It is essential that the health and welfare of our flocks are not adversely affected by limiting the availability of vaccines or therapeutic medicines which are known to be effective and do not pose a food safety hazard. Ways must therefore be found to achieve rapid availability of vaccines and medicines to deal with emergencies such as major outbreaks of disease, and also to increase the range of vaccines and medicines approved for use on turkeys generally.
46. The industry should prepare guidelines on catching and handling which explain how to avoid injury to the birds. (paragraph 109)
47. Companies should consider imposing a financial penalty on contract farms which produce an unacceptable number of injured birds. (paragraph 110)
48. The possibilities for use of large modular crates into which birds could be driven should be investigated. (paragraph 112)
49. Research is required to develop a portable and easy-to-use device which can be used to kill turkeys, including large birds, humanely. Ideally, the device should be of a size which can be carried by the stockman during inspections of the flock. (paragraph 119)
50. Work is required to develop electrical stunning equipment for use on turkeys which incorporates a meter indicating the current and the duration of the exposure to it. (paragraph 126)
51. The industry should take steps to ensure that training is validated.