Publications and opinions
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Animal Welfare Council opinions since 2006:
- Tail docking in certain dog breeds*
- Tail docking in Belgian draught horses*
- Alternatives to the castration of piglets
- Tail docking in sheep*
- Animals kept on the pasture: the necessity for shelter*
- Assessing the relevance of a supplementary study on establishments keeping laying hens with a (covered) free range area*
- Feral cats and cats in shelters*
- Keeping of raptors by individuals*
- Religious slaughtering without stunning (2010)
- Horses kept outdoors (2010)
- Electric collars for dogs (2010)
- The importation of dogs into Belgium (2010)
- Integration of the dog in the society: socialising dogs (2011)
- Live pony carousels (2012)
- Controlling the pigeon populations in urban areas (2012)
* to see these opinions please view Dutch or French version
Opinions expected to be delivered in the future:
- Housing of rabbits
- Fairground horses
- Extreme breeding
- Dolphins in dolphinaria
Tail docking in certain dog breeds
This bibliographic analysis shows that docking can cause an intense pain, certainly on the moment of the operation. This is in consensus with results from newborns of other animal species. The pain may last for days till years, due to post-operative pathology (neuromas, incontinence). The study also indicates that no scientific study can demonstrate or invalidate the advantages of docking. It should be noticed that the prevention of whip wounds in hunting dogs has to be considered in the global perspective of preventing hunting wounds. Based on the current state of the knowledge and ethical considerations, authors of reviews dealing with this topic conclude that docking is not systematically needed as a prophylactic measure to prevent wounds caused by specific practices like hunting. They suggest that docking be allowed in particular circumstances, such as proved medical reasons or situations in which the puppy will conduct activities in adult age causing frequently (proven) wounds of the tail. This report also presents the legislation in other European countries: as 12 out of 15 European countries signed the European Convention for the protection of companion animals (that forbids docking), most European countries prohibit docking.
Tail docking in Belgian draught horses
Routinely performed painful procedures are of increasing interest and Belgium prohibited docking in several vertebrates in 2001 (Royal Decree of 17 May), including horses. In 2004, opponents to this decision submitted a bill (Doc51 0969/001) to Parliament, intending to obtain derogation for Belgian draught horses, which were traditionally docked. The Animal Welfare Council of Belgium was asked to address this complex issue, including biological, ethical and socio-economic aspects.
This study reviews legal aspects (overview of European legislation), zootechnical aspects (use of Belgian draught horses) and biological aspects (pain potentially related to docking; horses’ welfare linked to insect harassment and hygiene, communication and reproduction) of tail docking in draught horses, on the basis of peer-reviewed studies available.
In the light of the arguments put forward in the Bill of 29 March 2004, the review concludes that potential advantages of docking are essentially in favour of humans. Therefore, there is no need to dock any horse for other than veterinary reasons.
Alternatives to the castration of piglets
For reasons of animal welfare, the castration of piglets has been on the European and Belgian agenda for several years now: up until the age of 7 days, pigs may be castrated without anaesthesia in the EU. In Belgium, an estimated 5.5 million male piglets are castrated without the use of anaesthesia every year. Male piglets are mainly castrated in order to prevent the development of the odour or flavour of the so-called ‘boar taint’. This boar taint is caused by the action of sex hormones in uncastrated male pigs (called ‘boars’).
In 2002 the working group on the castration of piglets of the Council of Animal Welfare signed a statement of principles committing all members (representatives of the pig farming sector, animal protection societies and scientists) to finding valuable alternatives to the castration of piglets.
This working group has closely followed the development of alternatives to the castration of piglets and has held several meetings to study those alternatives and to give advice on the matter (first in 2007 and secondly in 2010). The Council’s latter piece of advice states that we have enough alternatives at our disposal in order to ban the surgical castration of piglets without anaesthesia. The Belgian agricultural associations agreed provided that this ban will be imposed at European level.
Three aspects related to this theme are examined here: the pain felt by the animal, the potential prophylactic effects and the potential impact on the productivity. Tail docking is a painful operation for lambs, as shown for other young mammals, like puppies, piglets or calves. Tail docking by surgical resection without anaesthesia could be more painful than tail docking by binding. Local anaesthesia is the most effective way of managing acute pain. The duration of the post-operative pain still has to be defined more precisely, according to the method used. As regards myiasis in sheep, the current state of knowledge does not allow to assert definitively that tail docking is an effective prophylactic measure against myiasis in sheep, when considered in a global strategy against this type of parasitic disease. However, this practice seems to be effective in preventing faecal matter from accumulating on the hindquarters of sheep with diarrhea. No significant effect of docking on the productivity of sheep is observed in terms of growth or mortality.
Animals kept on the pasture: the necessity for shelter
In 2005, Mr. De Meyer submitted a law proposal to improve the welfare of pasture animals. This law suggested, firstly, to clearly define minimum requirements for pasture animals and, secondly, to facilitate controls by making it compulsory for owners to provide the contact data of where the animals graze. The report defines thermal comfort and comfort zone in scientific words and presents the conclusions of the meetings of the working group.
As from 2012, traditional battery cages for laying hens will be banned from the European Union as a result of the EU directive 1999/74. From this date on, only enriched cages and alternative systems (aviary and floor pen systems) will be allowed. The new EU directive also lays down, for the first time, standards for the various rearing systems. The European Directive is implemented in Belgium since 2005. During the implementation process, the European standards were followed, but there is still room for adapting the national legislation in 2010. Practically speaking, aviary and floor pen systems are sometimes used combined with a free range area or veranda that is partially or fully covered. Because of the growing interest in this combination, it is intended to conduct a supplementary study in order to compare three aviary systems, i.e. with no free range area, with a covered area and with a non-covered area. The aim of this report is to investigate the need of such research. The report contains a description of current rearing systems for laying hens and a brief literature-based comparison of the various systems. The results of recent studies with (covered) free range areas are also shortly mentioned. The relevance of a supplementary study on the impact of systems using a (covered) free range area is examined and summarized. It can be concluded that studying the sanitary state and the animal welfare of laying hens reared in the three types of aviary systems is scientifically interesting. However, this study will not answer the question if, on the one hand, a straight implementation of the European directive or, on the other hand, an adaptation should be formulated in the Belgian legislation. The (covered) free range area should be considered as an extension of the alternative rearing systems.
Assessing the relevance of a supplementary study on establishments keeping laying hens with a (covered) free range area
Feral cats and cats in shelters
Shelters face a cat overpopulation problem, due to the giving away and abandoning of these animals as well as to their high reproduction rate. Furthermore, a majority of Belgian cities and municipalities experience problems with feral cats. Both situations are interconnected, as feral cats may end up in shelters and the other way around is also possible. This brief report gives an overview of the Belgian situation, of the literature and of the legislation in other European countries on this matter. The report stipulates that the cat overpopulation problem is multi-factorial and can only be solved by means of combined actions in several fields.
Keeping of raptors by individuals
Keeping birds of prey has grown in popularity over the last years. The number of complaints addressed to the Animal Welfare Unit of the Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment has also been growing as regards housing birds of prey. Complaints vary from birds of prey continuously fastened in a busy environment to birds housed in old rabbit hutches. This report tries to work out whether keeping birds of prey in captivity is justified from an animal welfare point of view. The available literature gives no strong scientific indication that the welfare of birds of prey in captivity is at risk. Some behaviour problems are noticed but they can be solved in particular cases by taking appropriate measures.
If the bird of prey is kept in captivity, its welfare must be guaranteed. Whether it is necessary that the birds have possibilities to fly depends on the definition used for natural behaviour. Even though there are no scientific studies on keeping birds of prey continuously fastened (on a block or on a perch), it is generally admitted that such housing is contrary to animal welfare laws. A possibility to fly regularly is considered a minimum requirement. Different authors propose minimum dimensions for aviaries; those recommendations are based on experiences.
Interviews with the different Belgian stakeholders indicate that a majority is in favour of additional measures for keeping birds of prey.
Religious slaughtering without stunning (2010)
Article 16 of the ‘animal welfare law’ of 14 August 1986 provides that animals should be anaesthetised in a slaughterhouse before slaughtering. An exception to that rule is provided for slaughter according to a religious rite. Slaughter without stunning has always been a reason for concern for animal protectionists and has been on the social agenda for years, both in Belgium and abroad.
That is why the Council of Animal Welfare has decided to tackle the problem of ritual slaughter without anaesthesia. First, a report on ‘the welfare of bovine and ovine species when slaughtered (by guiding, fixing, cutting the throat)’ has been compiled, dealing with both conventional slaughter methods and slaughter according to a religious rite. The file summarises the scientific knowledge on the matter as well as the legislation on slaughter according to a religious rite which is in force in other countries. In addition, the different slaughter methods applied in Belgian slaughterhouses have been listed by means of a survey. And finally, the file also provides recommendations on the slaughter of bovine and ovine species.
Subsequently, working groups have been set up, composed of scientists, veterinarians, representatives of the religious communities and the animal protection societies, in order to debate amongst other things the animals’ pain and suffering, the bleeding of the animals, and the heartbeat observed at and after cutting the animals’ throat with and without the use of anaesthesia. The result of the discussions will be outlined in the advice given by the Council of Animal Welfare.
As a result of the 2009 seminar the Animal Welfare Council was asked to revive the former working party on 'Animals kept on the pasture'. This working party was slightly modified in its composition and focused on the issue of horses that are kept outdoors. A consensus was reached which resulted in a proposal to change the legislation in this matter.
Needs of horses on the pasture differ according to breed, age and individual specificities but certain common features have been put forward, e.g.:
- Horses that are kept outdoors should be provided with a shelter or have the opportunity to be stabled.
- Horses should be able to quench their thirst completely several times a day.
- Horses should receive proper quality food in sufficient amount according to their needs.
- The fence should be adapted to the animals kept in the meadow and prevent them from escaping. Therefore, it should be strong enough and in due dimensions in proportion to the horse's wither height, with specific attention for the distance between the lower part of the fence and the ground.
Elektric collars for dogs (2010)
Following complaints about the use of anti-bark collars on dogs, the Animal Welfare Council was asked by the Minister for a recommendation in this matter. Since anti-bark collars, but training and invisible fence collars as well, are based on electric stimulation, the Council decided to tackle the problem of electric collars as a whole. Initially, electric collars were developed by hunters as an aid for training dogs to hunt. Later on, those collars were also used to solve behavioural problems among dogs. The use of electric collars for dogs is often controversial. On one hand, there are trainers and behaviour therapists who do not see any objection to the use of electric shocks to solve behavioural problems. The advantages of this method are the possibility of using it at a longer distance and the smaller risk of injury. On the other hand, opponents claim that the pain (and fear) induced by the shock is animal-unfriendly, unethical and unnecessary with regard to the gravity or nature of the behavioural problem it is intended to solve. A scientists' report has been written that analyses, on the basis of scientific literature, whether or not the electric shock reduces the dog's welfare. An opinion and a card have been drawn up by the working party of the Council that examined the problem.
The importation of dogs into Belgium (2010)
Each year, about one thousand dogs from abroad are introduced into Belgium by more than twenty associations. Seven out of ten of those dogs are 'galgos' (or Spanish greyhounds) imported from Spain.
Still, Belgian animal shelters are overcrowded and have to euthanize each year somewhat 4,000 dogs. This is the reason why dogs from abroad are banned from Belgian animal shelters. The Animal Welfare Council examined whether or not it is appropriate to let associations introduce dogs from abroad into Belgian territory and, if so, under what circumstances.
Integration of the dog in the society: socialising dogs (2011)
In 2004, the Belgian Animal Welfare Council set up an action plan to prevent dog bites. While assessing those actions, the AWC examined which additional measures could be taken. As dog bites can be prevented through socialisation of the animal, the creation of a working group on this subject was decided. The AWC is releasing new recommendations on how to better integrate dogs into society, given that anyone responsible for a dog should prevent his or her dog from biting, threatening or attacking people or other animals.
The Animal Welfare Council was asked by the relevant Belgian Minister to identify potential animal welfare problems with pony carousels in Belgium.
The working group was made up of scientific experts, representatives from animal rights associations and fairground people’s unions who reached consensus. Research on the musculoskeletal system of ponies was also conducted at Ghent University.
According to the consensus opinion, carousel ponies may be employed only under certain conditions. Standards have therefore been established regarding the ring, equipment, housing and ponies used.
Controlling the pigeon populations in urban areas (2012)
For many cities, controlling the pigeon populations in urban areas represents a major concern. There is a lack of coherence in that area and the information available as to the efficiency of existing methods is insufficient, when certain techniques applied are unethical regarding animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Council has delivered an opinion, which is based on its scientific report.
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Published on 23/04/2010 – Page last updated on 04/04/2012