Animal welfare

Question 1

What are the 5 freedoms?

Answer 1

Freedom:

1. from hunger & thirst
2. from discomfort
3. from pain, injury or disease
4. to express normal behaviour
5. from fear and distress

Question 2

What is the significance of the Codes of Recommendations regarding animal welfare published by the UK government?

Answer 2

Failure to comply with them is not an offence but may be given as supporting evidence in a trial.

Question 3

What law governs the transport of animals?

Answer 3

Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) order - makes it an offence to transport animals who are not fit to travel.

Question 4

Journeys for animals destined for slaughter in their country of origin should not be more than

Answer 4

8hrs

Question 5

Animals unfit for slaughter include

Answer 5

heavily pregnant (>90% gestation + 7d post partum), very young, newborn with an unhealed umbilicus, animals in velvet, sick/injured, can’t weight bear evenly on all 4 limbs.

Question 6

Rules on transport

Answer 6

No animal shall be transported unless it is fit for the attended journey. All animals shall be transported in conditions guaranteed not to cause injury or unnecessary suffering.

Question 7

General rules on transport

Answer 7

Minimum journey times
Animals fit to travel
Competent handlers
Loading/unloading facilities - designed to avoid injury + suffering
Water, feed, rest as needed.
Sufficient floor space & height.

Question 8

In lairage rules

Answer 8

Water available at all times (not poultry)
Feed/bedding if >12hrs. Milk lactating cows 2x in 24h
kept in social/transport group - no species mixing
isolate sick/disabled animals

Question 9

What does humane slaughter mean?

Answer 9

The killing of animals for food whilst inflicting the minimum amount of pain.

Question 10

Points of humane slaughter

Answer 10

No avoidable distress immediately prior
No perception of impending death
Painless
instantaneous