How is animal welfare evaluated?

Animal welfare can be judged on the basis of an animal’s access to the ‘five freedoms’ i.e. animals should be

(i) free from hunger and thirst,
(ii) free from discomfort,
(iii) free from pain, injury or disease,
(iv) free to express normal behaviour, and
(v) free from fear and distress.

With regard to the dairy industry in Ireland, Irish cows are considered to experience high standards of animal welfare. The majority of Irish cows are fed on a pasture-based diet and, because of this, are in a more natural environment to express normal behaviour than cows housed indoors for all, or the majority, of their lifetime.

Extra Information:

Farmers are legally and ethically obliged to provide a good standard of welfare for the livestock in their care and it should be noted that both animals and farm profitability can benefit from this as cows reared under good standards of welfare are more highly productive. Animal health and welfare is one of the key pillars of the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Standard audit. There are requirements throughout the standard that facilitate a thorough assessment of animal welfare at farm level.