June 11, 2012
UK introduces new welfare assessment tool for cows
UK's dairy cows are set to benefit as a new animal welfare assessment tool is being launched in the region.
For the past year, this new system for assessing animal welfare has been carried out on Soil Association and RSPCA Freedom Food approved laying hen farms, which make up 97% of the non-caged laying hen industry.
Inspectors from RSPCA's Freedom Food and the Soil Association will now undergo training in the AssureWel welfare measures for dairy cows and by July 2012, all their dairy inspections will include these new welfare assessments. The results will be discussed with producers and, if needed, advice will be given on how to improve welfare even further.
In a major landmark for dairy welfare, AssureWel has been working with Red Tractor, which assures 95% of the milk produced in Great Britain (this figure includes Freedom Food and Soil Association certified farms), and recognising the importance of this project, subject to final consultation the scheme are working towards the inclusion of core AssureWel measures into all Red Tractor dairy assessments.
The dairy cow assessment includes looking at mobility, body condition and cleanliness.
Dr Alison Bond, Animal Welfare Project Officer at the Soil Association, said: "It is clear that industry harmonisation on animal welfare assessment is needed and we believe AssureWel provides the vehicle to help do that. It is an objective way to discuss the well-being of farm animals and illustrate good farming practice whilst helping to tackle any challenges."
Dr David Main, animal health and husbandry expert at the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences, said: "We aim to embed AssureWel's standardised approach across all the major farm animal species. Working with Red Tractor instantly means we are working with the majority of dairy farmers in the UK which could potentially have a massive impact on dairy cow welfare."
Mike Madders, Staffordshire dairy farmer and Chairman of the Red Tractor Dairy Scheme said: "We still have lots to do but we have made excellent progress in our aim to introduce welfare outcome assessment into Red Tractor dairy, thanks to our work with AssureWel. This project has managed to turn animal welfare science into a worthwhile package of practical measures."
