www.defra.gov.uk Review of the Animal Welfare Research Programme 2005-2010 Output Document December 2010 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Tel: 020 7238 6000 Website: www.defra.gov.uk © Crown copyright 2010 Copyright in the typographical arrangement and design rests with the Crown. This publication (excluding the Royal Arms and departmental logos) may be re-used free of charge in any format or medium for research for non-commercial purposes, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to it being re-used accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the publication specified. Information about this publication and copies are available from: Animal Welfare Research Programme Manager Veterinary Research Unit Nobel House, Area 4A 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Tel: 020 7238 6000 Email: [email protected] This document is available on the Defra website: Published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Contents Section A: Introduction ............................................................................................... 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 6 Defra’s Aim and Strategic Priorities ........................................................................ 6 The Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain, and the Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy .................................................................................................... 7 The Animal Welfare Research Programme ............................................................ 8 Costs of Animal Welfare Research ......................................................................... 9 Aims of the Animal Welfare Research Review ..................................................... 10 Section B: Research Review Summary .................................................................... 11 On-Farm Poultry Research Summary ................................................................... 12 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 12 Broilers .......................................................................................................... 12 Laying Hens................................................................................................... 12 Turkeys .......................................................................................................... 13 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 13 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 13 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 14 On-Farm Pigs Research Summary ....................................................................... 14 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 14 Aggression and other vices ........................................................................... 14 Farrowing ...................................................................................................... 15 Housing and Enrichment ............................................................................... 15 Pig Welfare Assessment ............................................................................... 15 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 16 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 16 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 16 Companion Animals, Game Birds and Other Projects Research Summary ......... 16 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 16 Companion Animals ...................................................................................... 16 Game Birds.................................................................................................... 17 Other Research ............................................................................................. 17 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 17 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 17 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 17 On-Farm Fish Research Summary ....................................................................... 18 Page 2 of 165 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 18 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 18 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 19 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 19 Welfare at Slaughter Research Summary ............................................................ 20 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 20 Slaughter and Killing of Cattle and Sheep ..................................................... 20 Slaughter and Killing of Poultry ...................................................................... 20 Slaughter and Killing of Pigs .......................................................................... 20 Emergency Slaughter and Killing ................................................................... 21 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 21 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 21 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 22 On-Farm Ruminants Research Summary ............................................................. 22 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 22 Husbandry Systems ...................................................................................... 22 Lameness ...................................................................................................... 22 Foot Rot ......................................................................................................... 23 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 23 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 23 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 23 Transport and Markets Research Summary ......................................................... 24 Success of research in providing value to Defra ............................................... 24 Assessing Fatigue and Fitness to Travel ....................................................... 24 Transport of Unbroken Ponies ....................................................................... 24 Welfare Impacts of the Environment and Journey Duration .......................... 24 Issues and areas of concern relating to this research ....................................... 24 Research gaps and future priorities .................................................................. 25 Balance of funding ............................................................................................ 25 Section C: Project Abstracts and Review Comments ............................................... 26 On-Farm Poultry ................................................................................................... 27 On-Farm Poultry Agenda .................................................................................. 28 On-Farm Poultry Abstracts and Review Comments .......................................... 30 On-Farm Pigs, On-Farm Fish, Companion Animals and Other ............................ 48 On-Farm Pigs, On-Farm Fish, Companion Animals and Other Agenda ............ 49 On-Farm Pigs Abstracts and Review Comments .............................................. 51 On-Farm Fish Abstracts and Review Comments .............................................. 60 Page 3 of 165 Companion Animal Abstracts and Review Comments ...................................... 64 Other Abstracts and Review Comments ........................................................... 67 Welfare at Slaughter ............................................................................................. 69 Welfare at Slaughter Agenda ............................................................................ 70 Welfare at Slaughter Abstracts and Review Comments .................................... 72 On-Farm Ruminants and Transport and Markets ................................................. 84 On-Farm Ruminants and Transport and Markets Agenda ................................ 85 On-Farm Ruminants Abstracts and Review Comments .................................... 87 Transport and Markets Abstracts and Review Comments ................................ 97 Annex 1: SID 1 / ROAME Statements ...................................................................