Hovi, Malla; Sundrum, Albert and Thamsborg, M.S. (2003) Animal health and welfare in organic livestock production in Europe– current state and future challenges. Livestock production science, 80 (1-2), pp. 41-53.
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Document available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(02)00320-2
Summary
Existing data on animal health and welfare in organic livestock production systems in the European Community countries are reviewed in the light of the demands and challenges of the recently implemented EU regulation on organic livestock production. The main conclusions and recommendations of a three-year networking project on organic livestock production are summarised and the future challenges to organic livestock production in terms of welfare and health management are discussed. The authors conclude that, whilst the available data are limited and the implementation of the EC regulation is relatively recent, there is little evidence to suggest that organic livestock management causes major threats to animal health and welfare in comparison with conventional systems. There are, however, some well-identified areas, like parasite control and balanced ration formulation, where efforts are needed to find solutions that meet with organic standard requirements and guarantee high levels of health and welfare. It is suggested that, whilst organic standards offer an implicit framework for animal health and welfare management, there is a need to solve apparent conflicts between the organic farming objectives in regard to environment, public health, farmer income and animal health and welfare. The key challenges for the future of organic livestock production in Europe are related to the feasibility of implementing improved husbandry inputs and the development of evidence-based decision support systems for health and feeding management.
(HOVI, M., A. SUNDRUM and S. M. THAMSBORG (2003): Animal health and welfare in organic livestock production in Europe – current state and future challenges. Livestock production science 80, 41-53.)
EPrint Type: | Journal paper |
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Keywords: | animal health, animal welfare, organic livestock production, organic standards, review |
Subjects: | Animal husbandry > Health and welfare |
Research affiliation: | European Union > Network Animal Health NAHWOA Germany > University of Kassel > Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Health |
Deposited By: | Hovi, MS M |
ID Code: | 954 |
Deposited On: | 25 Aug 2003 |
Last Modified: | 12 Apr 2010 07:27 |
Document Language: | English |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
Additional Publishing Information: | M. Hovi: Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Research Unit, The University of Reading, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK. Tel. +44 (0)118 931 6634; Fax +44 (0)118 926 4132; E-mail:m.hovi@reading.ac.uk A. Sundrum: Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Health, Faculty of Ecological Agricultural Science, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstraße 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany. M.S. Thamsborg: The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Grönnegaardsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. |
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