Consumers today are becoming more conscious of the well-being of animals in the food production process. It’s not just about the quality of the end product but also about how the animals were treated during their lifetime. Anses, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, recognises this growing concern and is taking steps to address it through guidelines for labelling products of animal origin based on farm animal welfare.
Why does animal welfare in food production matter?
- Consumers want to know the conditions in which animals are raised
- Ethical concerns about the treatment of animals
- Impact on the quality of the end product
Harmonising labelling systems
In Europe, there is a proliferation of labelling systems aimed at informing consumers about animal welfare levels. However, the criteria used in these systems vary widely, leading to confusion among consumers. The European Union is working towards harmonising these labelling systems. Anses has conducted an expert appraisal to establish a scientific basis for animal welfare labelling that can be adopted across the livestock sector.
5 levels of animal welfare
Anses recommends a system of 5 welfare levels ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). Level E aligns with the minimum requirements set by European legislation on animal welfare. This classification is designed to be easily understandable for consumers and aims to encourage producers to enhance animal welfare gradually.
Moving beyond rearing methods
Most current animal welfare labels primarily focus on rearing methods and improvements made to them. However, Anses emphasises that this is not sufficient. For instance, having certain features in a farm does not guarantee the welfare of the animals if they are not utilised effectively. Therefore, the focus should shift towards indicators that directly measure the welfare of the animals themselves.
Importance of breeding animals
Anses also highlights the significance of assessing the welfare of breeding animals, including their living conditions and genetic characteristics. Knowing about the previous generation’s conditions is crucial in determining the overall welfare of food-producing animals. Lack of information about parents should result in products being classified no higher than level C in the welfare system.
Transparency and collaboration
Developing a framework for animal welfare labelling requires collaboration among scientists, stakeholders, and industry professionals. Transparency is key in informing consumers about the indicators used for assessing animal welfare. Furthermore, all stakeholders should share the responsibility of improving animal welfare and covering the costs involved.
In conclusion, ensuring animal welfare in food production is not just a matter of ethics but also impacts the overall quality and sustainability of the industry. Implementing clear labelling systems based on scientific indicators can help consumers make informed choices and encourage producers to prioritise animal welfare. By working together and prioritising transparency, the food industry can strive towards better animal welfare practices that benefit everyone involved.
Do you believe that labelling based on animal welfare levels would influence your purchasing decisions? How important is transparency in the food production process to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s Newsletter for more insights on animal welfare and the agriculture industry.
