The importance of testing animal housing systems and equipment in relation to animal welfare [German]

摘要

Farm animal welfare is a common topic of discussion in Germany. Recently, the government has increasingly worked towards improving farm animal welfare standards through legislative activities. Farmers want to plan so as to comply with future animal we rare regulations. Therefore, they need housing systems and equipment that are tested sufficiently with regard to animal welfare to take developments into account. Neither Germany nor Austria provides such testing at the moment. In Germany, the DLG tests housing systems and equipment merely on a voluntary basis. As a result few tests are carried out. In Austria, housing systems and equipment are not tested at all. At the same time, several extensive studies demonstrate substantial farm animal welfare problems in both countries. Switzerland uses a testing system that is exemplary. Its advantages are presented and discussed in the context Of the weaknesses of the German DLG testing. In conclusion, the authors demand obligatory testing of housing systems and equipment based on the Swiss model. This would substantially improve both the welfare of farm animals and planning reliability. The amount of misinvestment in agricultural buildings would be reduced.