Sociological study on implementation of animal health plans in organic farming.

摘要

Organic farming states to have a high animal welfare level. Animal health is an important parameter. Several studies show, that there are severe deficits. Significant deficits in animal health related to a broad range of problems. The study (2006 to 2008) on 20 organic dairy cow, 20 pig and 20 laying hen farms confirmed these results. But the situation among the different farms varies greatly. It is however apparent that a number of farms demonstrate good animal health over a long period of time. The project shows that animal health must be defined as a central management task and that solutions must be found by the actors, starting with the farm managers. Animal health plans with a participative approach are suited as an instrument to improve health on individual farms. A farm's situation depends, however, on management and many other factors, not necessarily connected with animal husbandry (overwork, information, financial possibilities, personal and business situations and priorities, and finally, unknown factors). Not all livestock farms were ready to put more effort than a certain level for better animal health. Particularly the large farms had problems with participation and left the project before its conclusion. It could be found that there are large differences in the subjective and objective consideration of animal health for farmers, consultants/veterinarians and scientists. Farmers mentioned that they first became aware of their problems through the animal health check. But solutions were seldom sought. More motivation for improvement could first be generated with proven economic significance ("Sick animals perform less"). In the case of laying hens, poor health is not necessarily connected to poorer economic performance ("Even hens without feathers lay eggs").