Intro to animal welfare Flashcards
what are the three primary view of animal use
1) contractualism- no moral standing, use as we wish, treat well because it may benefit us
2) utilitarianism- ok to use animals, but need to be treated well
3) animal rights (not ok to use animals
the animal rights views
-animal production is unacceptable
-lobby for gradual or complete abolition
-pets/sport/entertainment/hunting etc is unacceptable
the animal welfare view
-animal production is acceptable (owe them a good life though)
-animals should receive responsible care
-identify practices that promote health and quality life
what may influence where someone stands in terms of welfare vs rights views
-urban or rural
-age
-demographic
-gender
-other
time line of animal welfare
-1596 rene descartes (animals are automatons; they can’t think or feel)
-1700s (public dissections(live); observed similarities between humans and animals)
-1800 jeremy bentham (the right question isnt can they reason or talk but can they suffer)
-1800s: first welfare movement (anti-vivisection, etc)
-1965-present (second welfare movement)
the first welfare movement
-generally considered from ~1800 to 1960
-moral arguments recognize human obligation to treat animals humanely:
-development of animal welfare organizations (very basic standards)
-focused on abuse, neglect and deprivation
-based on property laws-> harm to owner
-early legislation- address basic standards
-woodgush appt in 1952 to STUDY FARM ANIMAL WELFARE
inspiration for the RSPCA
-1822 Richard Martin MP, pilot first anti-cruelty bill giving cattle, horses and sheep a degree of protection throughout parliament (can’t beat, etc)
-1824 royal society for prevention of cruelty to animals founded in london (initially the SPCA)
early legislation laws for animals
-anti-cruelty laws (abuse and neglect)
-humane slaughter (extending to 1960s)
-transport laws (duration)
intensification of animal production
-1950s onward (livestock production experienced a scale change esp poultry, eggs, and swine)
intensification of animal production-technology
-intensified production (post WWII science & technology (increased scale of production and efficiency to feed the growing population)
-new systems & technologies (gestation stalls, farrowing pens for sows, cages for laying hens, higher stocking densities, liquid manure systems, use of antibiotics as growth promoters (all created to help increase animal welfare)
intensification of animal production: developments in nutrition
-foraging and grain supplements
-balanced feedstuff
-balanced nutrients (natural and synthetic sources: amino acids, energy, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals
-industrial by-products used to reduce cost
-DDGS (distillers dried grain with solubles
intensification of animal production development in housing:
-access to shelter
-complete confinment
-forced ventilation, environmental controls
-environmental management:
-controlled heating and ventilation
-light control, manure handling
-space restriction, gaseous environment, contact, disease
-mechanisation
-grain augers, combine harvesters
the second combination of events
-attitude towards animals, evolving since 1800s
-early 20th century saw little change: two wws and the great depression
-post war era: use of new technologies to feed a growing population
-1964: release of ‘aminal machines’ by ruth Harrison; first critique of intensive farming
-the second animal welfare movement was different then the first because science was called upon to clarify the issues and guide reforms
ruth Harrison
-British housewife
-wrote newspaper articles critiquing how farm animals were being raised
-a social commentary more than scientific criticism
-book themes: animal suffering, unnaturalness of the systems, change form agrarian to industrial activity, all leading to doubts re food quality/saftey
bramble report
-chair of bramble committee: professor F.W. rogers brambell immunologist
-report of the technical committee to enquire onto the welfare system of animals kept under an intensive livestock husbandry system
-welfare is a wide term that embraces both the physical and mental well-being of the animal
-any attempt to evaluate welfare must take into account the scientific evidence available concerning the feelings of the animals
farm animal welfare council
-findings of Brambell report lead to the start of the farm animal welfare advisory committee
-the committee recommended animals be given freedom to “stand up, lie down, turn around, groom themselves and stretch their limbs
-guide lines were eventually expanded into the five freedoms
five freedoms
-free from hunger and thirst
-free form discomfort
-free form pain, injury, or disease
-free to express normal behaviour
freedom form fear and distress
why would it be nice to have a definition of welfare
-scientific study: what is important
-legislative purposes: lawmaking/protection
-practical use: on-farm assessment & improvement
when defining welfare what are the three broad approaches that have emerged
-feelings based
-function based
-natural living
-welfare is in the middle of the three circles
feelings approach for defining welfare
-welfare is a term that can only be used for animals that are capable of experiencing feelings
-welfare is reduced by negative subjective states such as pain, fear frustration, hunger, and thirst
-the task for science is to develop means of assessing feelings:
-measure preference or motivation (feeds, bedding, temp)
the function approach for defining welfare
-the welfare of an animal is based on whether its biological systems are functioning normally
-welfare is reduced by disease, injury, and malnutrition
-good welfare results in high levels of growth and reproduction
-welfare is a continuum from good to poor
-emphasis is on objective scientific measures: epidemiology, pathology, productivity, physiology, immunology, longevity
the natural approach for defining welfare
-conditions should be as similar to the natural environment as possible
-welfare science compares the behaviour of animals in wild state with animals living in captivity
-differences suggest deficiencies in the captive environment
good welfare:
the animal feels well, functions well, ad can rely on natural abilities to adapt
welfare assesment
-input based standards:
-system based: stocking density, alley width, ramp angle, written procedures
-pro: easy to verify
-con: may not result in good welfare
-inflexible- is based on the ‘average animal’
-outcome-based standards:
-animal-based: behaviour, illness, injury
-pros: measures are relevent, important
-cons: subjective measures, time consuming
-more flexible for the producer
