Caring - Welfare of animals

The welfare of all farmed animals is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in England and Wales (and equivalent legislation in Scotland) which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a duty of care to animals – anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal’s welfare needs are met.

The duty of care requires that all keepers responsible for animals, including farmed poultry, must ensure that their animals are provided with a suitable environment and diet, so as to be free to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable) and to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Maintaining high standards for animal health and welfare on the farm is essential for efficient production, establishing consumer confidence and managing risk of disease to both humans and animals.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council recommends the following Five Freedoms for farm livestock:

• freedom from hunger and thirst
• freedom from discomfort
• freedom from pain, injury or disease
• freedom to express normal behaviour
• freedom from fear and distress

While these freedoms provide general guidelines to avoid suffering and other harms, there are areas where specific guidance is available:

• on-farm welfare
• welfare during transport
• welfare at market
• welfare at slaughter