This Session has been organised by the Management & Health Commission, with the support of the Livestock Production Systems Commission and of the EAAP Ethics Working Group. It contributed to the main theme of the Meeting: "Sustainability of Livestock Systems", as ethical components are constitutive of the sustainability of a production system, in terms of acceptability by the society and by the producers themselves. Moral aspects, such as the responsibility of the actors of the animal production chain, or the relations between science, production and society, are questions of growing interest, in which EAAP has to be actively involved.

The first two contributions introduce the ethical issues arising in animal production, from examples taken in intensive farming and in use of new biotechnologies. The philosophical bases of the human-animal relationship are explored, as well as the ways to facilitate an ethical dialogue between the stakeholders. Then, case studies from practical in-farm situations, analyses of the general public and of scientists ethical perceptions and conceptions, give a matter for reflection. The last contributions tackle the way forward to normative ethics and the setting up of ethical rules and good practices at different levels: farmers, professional bodies, society, and consider regulations, either in particular countries, in Europe, or at the global level.

140 persons attended the Session. The text of the presentations can be obtained from the EAAP website or by contacting the authors, and will be published in a special issue of Livestock Production Science in 2005.

Michel Marie,
Chairman, Ethics Working Group.
marie@ensaia.inpl-nancy.fr

P. Sandøe, Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark
pes@kvl.dk

There is a growing awareness by all stakeholders that there is need for more focus on the well-being of farm animals. These animals have in several respects been badly hit by the intensification of farm animal production. They typically get less space per individual than they did previously and many live in barren environments that do not allow them to exercise their normal range of behaviour, while genetic selection has been accompanied by increased problems with production-related diseases. However, underneath the apparent agreement there may be very different perceptions of what it is for farm animals to be offered a decent life.

This presentation is about the relation between animal production, animal science and society at large. It is argued that science based approaches to farm animal welfare must be understood in the context of ethical questions, and that a broader dialogue on these questions will be good for both science, animals and democracy.

A. K. Pascalev, University of North Florida, Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
apascal2003@yahoo.com

The paper discusses central moral issues involved in the treatment of animals in agriculture and introduces the major ethical concepts and principles that pertain to animal bioethics. It explores critically the concept of animal rights, animal suffering, animal welfare, and the moral values behind such movements as vegetarianism and animal liberation. Special attention is given to the issue of animal welfare in light of the latest advances in biotechnology such as cloning, genetic engineering and xenotransplantation.

Some of the addressed questions are: What are the main ethical challenges that animal agriculture faces today? Is it moral to genetically engineer farm animals and can the need for greater productivity justify the genetic modification of such animals? Should we change the natural capacities of animals e.g., to reduce their ability to feel pain and increase their resistance to disease? What is the moral status of animals with human genes or genes from other animal species? What is involved in respecting animals?

E. Trevisi, M.Bionaz, F. Piccioli-Cappelli, G. Bertoni. Istituto di Zootecnica, Piacenza, Italy
erminio.trevisi@unicatt.it

The intensive breeding of dairy cows is often considered at risk of low welfare for the animals. Namely, the high yield has been suggested to be, per se, a cause of well-being reduction. On the contrary we have in many farms demonstrated that high milk yielding cows are not necessarily in a bad welfare condition, while many environmental and management problems can cause a distress situation and a reduced milk yield. To confirm these results, in an average yielding dairy farm, the welfare was assessed according to an Integrated Diagnostic System which considers health status, milk yield and quality, feeding strategy, nutrition status, blood profiles etc.. The same check-up has been repeated a year later, after some attempts to correct the main mistakes that were previously observed.

In one year only part of the previous mistakes have been fully corrected; in spite of the animal response was definitively improved suggesting a better welfare situation. Again, it is confirmed that better breeding technologies can optimize the animal welfare and raise milk yield in the intensive systems also.

A.C. Dockès⁽¹⁾, F. Kling-Eveillard⁽¹⁾, C Wisner-Bourgeois ⁽²⁾, ⁽¹⁾ Institut de l’Elevage, ⁽²⁾ Chaire de Sociologie, INA-PG, Paris, France
anne-charlotte.dockes@inst-elevage.asso.fr

Animal welfare constitutes an increasing social demand, and is an ethical preoccupation for farmers. We studied the representations of cattle, pig and poultry farmers about their profession, about animals and animal welfare. We pointed out the diversity of the representations of breeding, of animals, and of practices. It concerns affection to animals, ethic vision of the profession, consideration of the animal needs, definition of animal welfare… This diversity is based on the personal history of the farmers and on the type of bred animals.

The relationships between breeders and animals can be organised in three dimensions : "the animal as a machine" which is seen through it's productive functions ; the "communicating animal", in relation with the men ; the "affective animal", able to develop a real attachment relationship with man.

R.L. Doerfler, K.J. Peters, Humboldt University, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Berlin, Germany
k.peters@agrar.hu-berlin.de

In many western countries animal welfare legislation has been revised recently and there are on-going activities to incorporate these standards in international trade agreements. However, the adoption of ethical norms by countries with vastly differing socio-cultural background, living conditions, and livestock production systems adapted to the prevailing ecological circumstances remains highly controversial. This paper analyses arguments for the relativism paradigm linked with the human-animal interaction in selected tropical livestock production systems which are characterized by agro-ecology, the extent of human intervention, values and the level of economic/technological development.

Local moralities deserve adequate interest independent of the production system. Therefore, the issue of animal welfare should be regarded relative in the global context and a dialogue between the cultures is encouraged to advance ethics in animal agriculture.

G.A. María Levrino, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University of Zaragoza. Spain
levrino@unizar.es

The social claim in favour of animal welfare has produced changes in the European legislation controlling livestock industry. Modifications in production systems will be necessary for the compliance of the new requirements affecting production costs. The question is to determine whether people in countries such Spain will accept the increment in the price in order to improve animal welfare. In order to assess the human attitude and perception of farm animal welfare in Spain, 3978 persons living in the urban area of the University of Zaragoza were surveyed.

A high proportion of the people agree to pay more for a product, if this greater price would guarantee a better welfare, with a trend indicating a positive response in women, young and students. But there is a disagreement between the expression of availability to pay more and the declaration of the actual consumption of welfare friendly products.

J. Hodges, A-5730 Mittersill, Austria.
hodgesjohn@compuserve.com

The normative cultural assumptions and commonly-held values of animal scientists guide group and individual decisions on the research and application of scientific knowledge. Strong links between animal scientists and business interests mean that the culture and values of commerce also inform and steer decisions by animal scientists. The food chain is increasingly watched by society as a whole, by governments and by special interest groups to determine the extent to which our behaviour is ethical or serving only our special interest group.

The changing culture and values of societies in Europe and North America and Developing Countries are examined and compared with those of animal scientists. It is proposed that more radical changes in the culture and values of animal scientists are needed to match the assumptions of all societies for their food supply.

J. A. MacArthur Clark, M. Potter, E. Harding, UK Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), London, UK
judy@biozone-eu.com

The commercial applications in agriculture of new breeding technologies, as well as conventional breeding strategies, have the potential to influence animal welfare in both positive and negative ways. On the other hand, inappropriate use of some breeding technologies may create new problems, or exacerbate welfare problems that may already have arisen within conventional livestock breeding.

This paper provides clear and practical advice on the establishment of an appropriate framework within which developments in animal breeding and breeding technologies, and the outcome of such processes, may be considered, monitored and, where necessary, regulated. It builds on recommendations recently made by the FAWC to UK Government, and considers the wider public interest in these technologies. The response from stakeholders is considered in attempting to ensure that such controls do not render production systems non-competitive in a global livestock industry.

A.M.Neeteson¹,D.Flock², S.A.Korsvoll³, J.Merks⁴, H.Stålhammar⁵, ¹Farm Animal Industrial Platform, Oosterbeek, Netherlands, ²Lohmann Tierzucht, Cuxhaven, Germany, ³AquaGen, Kyrksæteröra, Norway, ⁴Institute for Pig Genetics, Beuningen, Netherlands, ⁵SvenskAvel, Skara, Sweden.
Neeteson@iaf.nl

A Code of Good Practice for Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction, has been carried and implemented by European farm animal breeding companies, critically guided by ethics, and communicative to society, under a European program named CODE-EFABAR. Breeding organizations have developed the technical details, Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment ethical and society elements, European Federation of Biotechnology the communication strategy, and Société Générale de Surveillance advises on verifiability and certification requirements.

This Code of Good Practice will be available on-line, and disseminated to breeding and reproduction organisations and, among others, policy makers and society organisations (e.g. environmental, welfare and consumer organisations).

C. M. Mejdell, Norwegian Council on Animal Ethics, Tynset, Norway
cecilie.mejdell@fjellnett.no

Most husbandry practices set limits for the life of animals, in terms of restricted room or high stocking densities. The efficient production may lead to an increased risk of stress, disease and suffering. Science alone does not provide the answer to where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable welfare levels, i.e. what is an ethical way of keeping farm animals. The answer to this depends on values and attitudes towards animals in the society. "How should animals be treated in our society" is a question that should be discussed by the public, since the answer can be said to reflect the humanity of the society.

In Norway and many other countries the authorities have appointed independent, advisory bodies on animal welfare and ethics to discuss these issues. The composition of such committees should be as broad as possible and lay people should always be included.

C. Berg, M. Hammarström, Swedish Animal Welfare Agency, Skara, Sweden
Lotta.Berg@djurskyddsmyndigheten.se

Sweden has a long history of detailed and progressive legislation related to animal welfare for laboratory, farm and companion animals. Historically these issues have been the responsibility of the Veterinary Administration and later the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Recently, an independent Animal Welfare Agency has been created and commissioned to improve animal welfare by developing, enforcing and evaluating legislation. The Agency will consider scientific evidence when writing new legislation, and will also incorporate an external Animal Welfare Council, which will discuss ethical aspects in relation to existing or proposed legislature.

This Agency must deal with a diversity of public expectations. Animal rights groups have high expectations regarding new and stricter legislation, while some farmers fear that production aspects may be completely lost in discussions about improving welfare standards for farm animals.

R. Horgan, A. Gavinelli, European Commission, Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection, Animal Health and Welfare, Brussels, Belgium
Rex.Horgan@cec.eu.int

Animal welfare is being accorded an increasingly important role in today's civil society. Within the EU this has been enshrined within the specific "Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals" of the Treaty of Amsterdam, and there is a growing body of EU legislation on this issue, founded on sound scientific principles, taking account of public concerns, stakeholder input and possible socio-economic implications. Recent CAP reforms also testify to animal welfare's growing stature in policy-making, with the introduction of the principle of cross-compliance regarding eligibility for direct payments and additional financial incentives for producers to achieve higher standards. On a worldwide level the OIE has embarked on an initiative to develop global animal welfare guidelines and standards mandated by 167 member countries, and the issue remains on the agenda for future WTO negotiations.

Consumers demand higher standards of animal protection and it is incumbent upon policy-makers and legislators to respond accordingly.