The science of animal welfare

Question 1

what are the three overlapping areas of concern as it relates to animal welfare?

Answer 1

achieving balance between

• biological health and functioning
• natural living
• affective states

Question 2

what is the brambell committee?

Answer 2

1965: in response to public reaction to Ruth Harrison’s book, Uk government commissioned a committee to investigate the welfare of farm animals.

committee made up of scientist and Ag industry professionals; review the status of commercial agriculture

Question 3

what was the outcome of the brambell committee report?

Answer 3

• Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (monitor the livestock production sector)
• became known as the Five Freedoms

Question 4

what are the five freedoms?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

describe freedom from hunger and thirst?

Answer 5

be ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor

Question 6

describe freedom from discomfort

Answer 6

by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

ex: what is comfortable for a chicken?

Question 7

describe freedom from pain, injury or disease

Answer 7

by preventing or rapid diagnosis and treatment

Question 8

describe freedom to express normal behavior

Answer 8

by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal own kind

Question 9

describe freedom from fear and distress

Answer 9

by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Question 10

describe basic health and functioning

Answer 10

• having water, food, and shelter
• maintaining good health (free from disease and injury)
• maintaining good production

Question 11

decribe natural living

Answer 11

• ability to express natural behaviors
• to live reasonably”natural” lives (which does not necessarily have to be interpreted as outdoor)

Question 12

describe affective state

Answer 12

• minimizing/ eliminating negative subjectives states
• provide opportunities for positive subjective states

Question 13

according to singer, what is a good life for animals?

Answer 13

a life lived without pain or suffering

Question 14

according to regan, what is a good life for animals?

Answer 14

allowing an animal the right to live its own life without influence by humans

Question 15

according to leopold, what is a good life for animals?

Answer 15

living in healthy balance with the rest of the natural world

Question 16

according to rollin, what is a good life for animals?

Answer 16

when an animal is able to live life according to their nature