Thank
you for your comments. The Principles and Guidelines Committee
is reviewing all comments received and the Coalition will launch
the finalized Principles and Guidelines at the 2008 World Dairy
Expo.
Executive
Summary - [Click here for
Extension]
Overview
The
ethical obligations associated with dairy production include
a strong emphasis on animal well-being. As science and
practical experience expand our understanding of dairy
animal well-being, producers continue to improve animal
care and management practices. The National Dairy Animal
Well-Being Initiative has developed broad principles and
guidelines that dairy animal well-being programs should
include to meet our ethical obligations. These principles
and guidelines are summarized here and expanded in the
remainder of this document. |
Nutrition
Guiding
Principle: Animals and animal groups should always have
non-competitive access to a nutritionally adequate diet and
clean, fresh water.
Guideline
for Newborn Calves: Calves should receive colostrum or
equivalent and be fed in a way that promotes health and minimizes
the risk of disease.
Guideline
for Weaned Calves and Growing Heifers: Weaned calves and
growing heifers should receive adequate nutrition and water
to achieve a proper body condition score and be fed in a way
that promotes health and minimizes the risk of disease.
Guideline
for Adult Cows: Adult cows should receive adequate nutrition
and water to achieve a proper body condition score and be fed
in a way that promotes health and minimizes the risk of disease
including metabolic diseases.
Guideline
for Dairy Bulls: Bulls should receive adequate nutrition
and water to achieve a proper body condition score and be fed
in a way that promotes health and minimizes the risk of disease.
Animal
Health
Guiding
Principle: The health of all animals and animal groups
should be maintained through preventive care programs augmented
by rapid diagnosis and treatment when necessary.
Guidelines:
Dairy operations should have:
• A valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
• A current herd health plan
• Appropriate euthanasia guidelines and training
• Management protocols for painful procedures and conditions
• Management protocols for special needs animals
Management
Guiding
Principle: To promote animal well-being animal caretakers
should be appropriately trained, follow protocols and have access
to record systems.
Guidelines:
The operation should have a herd health plan as well as training
and protocols for handling, transporting and caring for special-needs
cattle including euthanasia. The plan should include:
• Training for new employees plus refresher training for
existing employees
• Standard operating procedures to be reviewed annually
and revised as necessary
• An emergency management plan
• Record keeping
• Management effectiveness
Housing
and Facilities
Guiding
Principle: Facilities should be designed, constructed and
maintained to provide and promote animal health, comfort and
safety.
Guidelines
for Calves (Birth to Weaning or Sale) and Young Stock (Weaning
to Parturition or Sale): Calves and young stock should
be given adequate space to stand, lie down, and turn around
without difficulty, provided bedding that is clean and dry and
be protected from seasonal weather extremes.
Guidelines
for Adult Animals: Adult animals should be given adequate
space to stand and lie down, be provided bedding that is clean
and dry and be protected from seasonal weather extremes. Facility
design and maintenance should be adequate to prevent injury
and the development of leg lesions.
Guidelines
for Herd Bulls: Herd bulls should be evaluated under the
same guidelines as young stock.
Handling,
Movement, and Transportation
Guiding
Principle: All animals and animal groups should be handled,
moved and transported in a manner that minimizes behavior modification
and the potential for injury, discomfort or disease.
Guideline:
Facilities should be designed and maintained so animals can
be moved in a manner that prevents slips, falls and collisions.
Employees should be trained to follow appropriate handling,
movement and transportation protocols.
Third
Party Oversight
Guiding
Principle: Verifying on-farm dairy animal well-being requires
third party oversight.
Guideline:
Dairy animal well-being programs should include third party
oversight to verify the program meets the principles and guidelines
established by the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Coalition
to demonstrate our commitment to meeting our ethical obligation
to provide for the well-being of animals in the U.S. dairy industry.
Back
to the top
Draft
Principles and Guidelines
The face
of agriculture continuously changes through the advancement
of technology and public policy. For the last two decades the
introduction of technology, the increase in the size of operations
and the focus on efficient production has helped improve productivity,
control costs and enhance food safety. The general public is
less familiar with the modern food production system because
of these changes.
As a result,
animal agriculture no longer enjoys the same level of public
trust our predecessors took for granted. Producers today must
demonstrate they are ethically and socially responsible as well
as scientifically grounded in the care of their operations,
animals, workers and the environment. When consumers question
animal agriculture practices, the industry has responded almost
exclusively with science-based answers. Such responses are often
viewed by the public as non-responsive because they don’t
communicate the commitment to ethical principles and shared
values. Today, agriculture must add ethics to science to build
the trust needed with the critical stakeholders who grant the
social license to operate.
Even though
the dairy industry enjoys a high level of consumer trust and
confidence, we recognize there is a growing disconnect between
consumers and producers. To protect the high level of trust
currently held by consumers regarding the dairy industry, the
National Dairy Animal Well-Being Coalition was formed.
The Coalition,
a broad-based group of agricultural leaders from across the
country, joined forces and developed the Initiative. The Initiative
provides assurance to build consumer trust and confidence that
the industry is meeting its ethical and moral obligation to
care for its animals. By acting now, the Initiative provides
the opportunity to have a say in our destiny, protect markets
and preserve market access by demonstrating our commitment to
animal well-being. Simply put, the Initiative is a testament
to our industry’s commitment to “do the right thing”
regarding animal well-being.
The Coalition
has worked to create a set of principles and guidelines that
can be incorporated into any dairy animal well-being program.
This is not a new on-farm well-being program. It is a uniform
umbrella of principles and guidelines, including third party
oversight, that will help build trust with critical stakeholders
by demonstrating an industry-wide commitment to animal well-being
and ensure program consistency across the country.
In the
pages that follow are the proposed NDAWI Principles and Guidelines
authored by members of the Principles and Guidelines committee.
They are in draft form. Over the next several months, producer
comments and input will be solicited by circulating them throughout
the industry.
Summary of the Process
Since late
2005, more than 60 people have been involved with the National
Dairy Animal Well-Being Coalition in formulating the Initiative.
The Coalition is a broad based group of volunteers from across
the country representing every facet of the dairy industry.
It includes producers, processors, co-ops, allied industry,
academics, associations and others. The Coalition is not part
of any specific association or organization, but a group that
reflects the diversity and strength of the U.S. dairy industry.
In addition to individual
dairy producers, other industry leaders participating in the
Coalition, or contributing in some way, include: Alto Dairy,
American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Farm
Bureau Federation, Animart, American Foods Group, Cornell University,
Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Management Inc., Elanco Animal
Health, Foremost Farms USA, Grande Cheese Company, International
Dairy Foods Association, Land O’ Lakes, Milk and Dairy
Beef Quality Assurance Center Inc., Morgan&Myers, National
Milk Producers Federation, Northeast Dairy Producers Association,
Organic Valley, Pfizer Animal Health, Professional Animal Auditor
Certification Organization (PAACO), Professional Dairy Managers
of Pennsylvania, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin,
Rabobank, Rosenholm Wolfe Dairy LLP, Safeway Inc., Smithfield
Beef Group, United Dairymen of Arizona, University of Arizona,
University of California-Davis, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Validus, Washington Dairy Products Commission, Washington State
Dairy Federation, WestfaliaSurge, Inc., Wisconsin Farm Bureau
Federation, Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, Wisconsin
Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Pork Producers Association.
To date,
these leader-volunteers have attended the Initiative development
meetings at their own expense and have donated their time to
the development of the Initiative.
As mentioned
in the introduction, the Initiative is not another on-farm animal
well-being program. The Initiative will capitalize on the strengths
of the already established animal well-being programs promoted
by the dairy co-ops, associations and companies by setting forth
uniform well-being principles and guidelines.
Producers
will be asked to sign an endorsement form formally indicating
their support for the Initiative. Producers may be asked to
participate in an on-farm animal well-being program that incorporates
the principles and guidelines developed by the Coalition. The
decision to participate in an on-farm animal well-being program
is strictly up to the producer and their co-op or marketing
partner.
Upon completion
of the year-long producer-review of the proposed Principles
and Guidelines, the Coalition will evaluate the recommendations
and proceed to an approved and final document.
Nutrition
Guiding
Principle:
Animals and animal groups should always have non-competitive
access to a nutritionally adequate diet and clean, fresh water.
Guideline
for Newborn Calves:
Calves should receive colostrum or equivalent and be fed in
a way that promotes health and minimizes the risk of disease.
Background:
Dairy calves are born with no natural immunity and depend
on the immunoglobulins in colostrum to provide passive immune
protection. Colostrum is the milk produced right after calving
and is a better source of immunoglobulins, protein, fat, minerals
and vitamins than milk. The concentration of these nutrients
is usually highest in the first milk produced after calving
and decreases with subsequent milkings. The calf has the ability
to absorb the immunoglobulins directly from the digestive
tract into the blood. The ability of the calf to absorb these
antibodies decreases rapidly starting within the first 24
hours after birth.
Guideline
for Weaned Calves and Growing Heifers:
Weaned calves and growing heifers should receive adequate nutrition
and water to achieve a proper body condition score and be fed
in a way that promotes health and minimizes the risk of disease.
Background:
The goal is to provide adequate nutrition to meet targets
for weight at a specific age. A series of rations may be fed
during this time period. The National Research Council (NRC,
2001) publication is a good guide for developing rations for
these groups.
Guideline
for Adult Cows:
Adult cows should receive adequate nutrition and water to achieve
a proper body condition score and be fed in a way that promotes
health and minimizes the risk of disease including metabolic
diseases.
Background
Dry Cows:
Dry (non-lactating) cows are usually housed and fed separately
from the milking cows. The rations for these animals should
provide nutrients required to support fetal calf growth. The
current (NRC, 2001) publication is a good guide for the nutrient
requirements of these animals.
Background
Milking Cows:
These animals may be housed and fed in a number of different
groups depending on the grouping strategy used on the farm.
Rations should be formulated to meet the needs of each group.
Using the appropriate requirement information (NRC, 2001)
can help achieve that goal. The same ration may be fed to
more than one group when the nutritional specifications are
similar. Labor and management considerations will also help
determine the number of rations fed.
Background
Special Needs Cows:
There may be situations in which cows need to be observed
for veterinary care. It is important to provide access to
clean water and a balanced ration while cows are in this area.
A key factor is to provide a non-competitive environment for
these animals.
Guideline
for Dairy Bulls:
Bulls should receive adequate nutrition and water to achieve
a proper body condition score and be fed in a way that promotes
health and minimizes the risk of disease.
References:
California Dairy Quality Assurance Program – Dairy Welfare
Evaluation Guide – Cooperative Extension, University of
California-Davis, 2004.
Caring
for Dairy Animals – technical Reference Guide and On-The-Dairy
Self-Evaluation Guide. Agri-Education, Stratford, IA. 2004.
Dairy Care
Practices (2nd ed.)– Dairy Workgroup, Cooperative Extension,
University of California-Davis, 1998.
Humane
Farm Animal Care Standards – Dairy Cattle. Humane Farm
Animal Care, Herndon, VA. 2004.
Feeding
the Newborn Dairy Calf- The Pennsylvania State University. 2003.
Cattle
Welfare Certification Program Module. New York State Cattle
Health Assurance Program. 2002.
Nutrient
Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th rev. ed. National Research
Council. Washington, DC. 2001.
Raising
Dairy Replacements. Midwest Plan Service. Ames, IA. 2003.
Animal Health
Guiding
Principle:
The health of all animals and animal groups should be maintained
through preventive care programs augmented by rapid diagnosis
and treatment when necessary.
Guidelines:
Dairy operations should have:
• A valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
• A current herd health plan
• Appropriate euthanasia guidelines and training
• Management protocols for painful procedures and conditions
• Management protocols for special needs animals
Background:
The health of animals on a dairy is an essential part of good
husbandry and a well-being program. One of the foundations
for animal well-being is the freedom from pain, injury or
disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. A
dairy maintains the health of the animals by providing appropriate
nutrition, housing and disease prevention, detection and action
programs. These programs should be developed through consultation
with a qualified veterinarian.
A dairy
well-being audit will determine that these programs are in
place and functioning by evaluating at least the following
areas:
- A Valid Veterinary-Client-Patient
Relationship demonstrates that the dairy uses a veterinarian
for health and disease issues and allows the dairy to
obtain and use appropriate drugs.
- The dairy should
have a written Herd Health Plan(s), developed in consultation
with the herd veterinarian, to prevent common diseases
such as mastitis, lameness, metritis, metabolic diseases,
displaced abomasum and other infectious diseases such
as pneumonia and infectious diarrhea. The Herd Health
Plan should include:
- Vaccination
protocols
- Daily observation
of all animals for injury or signs of disease
- Action plans
for animals that develop disease or are injured
- Protocols
for prevention, detection and action for mastitis
and lameness
- Training
programs for family members and employees involved
in detecting disease and injury, reporting the cases
and actions to be taken
- Euthanasia is
appropriate, when an animal’s quality of life is
decreased or when pain and suffering cannot be alleviated.
The method of euthanasia must be consistent with recommendations
from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the
American Association of Bovine Practitioners. The euthanasia
plan should be carried out regularly and consistently
and should include:
- Education
of farm staff on the need for euthanasia and recognition
of animals to be euthanized
- Proper technique
- Confirm
death of animal
- Record keeping
of euthanized animals
- Disposal
of carcasses
- The dairy must
have a plan for handling non-ambulatory cattle, including
calves, which cannot stand or walk without assistance.
The non-ambulatory cattle plan should include:
- Proper movement
so that the animal is not dragged
- Husbandry
and nursing care that provides shelter, water, feed
and isolation
from other cattle and protection from predators
- Appropriate
medical care
- Euthanasia
if warranted
References:
California Dairy Quality Assurance Program – Dairy Welfare
Evaluation Guide – Cooperative Extension, University of
California-Davis, 2004.
Caring
for Dairy Animals – technical Reference Guide and On-The-Dairy
Self-Evaluation Guide. Agri-Education, Stratford, IA. 2004.
“On-farm
euthanasia” training program; Veterinary Medicine Teaching
and Research Center, University of California School of Veterinary
Medicine http://www.vmtrc.ucdavis.edu/dfsl/euth/index.htm
American
Association of Bovine Practitioners. 1999. Practical Euthanasia
of Cattle: Considerations for the Producer, Livestock Market
Operator, Livestock Transporter, and Veterinarian. Accessed
online 6/18/2007: http://www.aabp.org/resources/euth.asp
Management
Guiding
Principle:
To promote animal well-being animal caretakers should be appropriately
trained, follow protocols and have access to record systems.
Guidelines:
The operation should have a herd health plan as well as training
and protocols for handling, transporting and caring for special-needs
cattle including euthanasia. The plan should include:
- Training for new
employees plus refresher training for existing employees
- Standard operating
procedures to be reviewed annually and revised as necessary
- An emergency management
plan
- Record keeping
- Management effectiveness
-
Background:
When addressing management, it is important to describe
it, do it, document it and deem it correct. Although oral
directions are acceptable as long as all employees are conducting
the protocol and procedure in the same manner, written protocols
are encouraged. In the absence of a key employee, the written
information would benefit another employee stepping in to
assist. Much of the information in this section is interdependent
on criteria in other sections and/or animal observations.
A dairy
well-being audit will determine that these programs are
in place and functioning by evaluating at least the following
areas:
-
Herd
Health Plan
- The dairy
has a written Herd Health Plan(s) (see the corresponding
section on Animal Health for additional information).
-
Housing
- All Facilities
should be designed, constructed and maintained to provide
and promote animal health, comfort and safety (see the
corresponding section on Housing and Facilities for
additional information).
-
Special
Needs Management
- Record keeping
should be current and animal treatment records accessible
to employees.
- Protocol should
prescribe euthanasia for animals with less than a 2.0
body condition score and not responding to treatment.
- Protocol should
exist to minimize animal discomfort and optimize animal
recovery following surgery, illness or injury (including
care for downer animals).
- Personnel
are trained to move downer animals.
- Proper equipment
such as a sled or bucket-loader should be available
to move downer animals. The equipment must be large
enough to accommodate the animal and not allow body
contact with the ground.
- Standard operating
procedures should be available to all employees regarding
downer animals.
- Caretakers
should be trained on downer animal procedure.
- All employees
should be trained in proper euthanasia techniques.
- The protocol
for terminally sick or severely injured, and untreatable,
calves should include euthanasia on a regular and consistent
basis.
-
Handling,
Movement, and Transportation (see the corresponding section
on Handling, Movement, and Transportation for additional
information).
- All employees
should be trained in animal handling to protect the
safety of the animal and caretaker. Consequences of
inhumane handling must be known and enforced.
- All training
should be documented and signed by the employee including
the date completed, content and trainer.
- When moving
animals, the use of prods (electric or otherwise) should
be limited to emergencies.
- All non-employees
handling cattle on-site are subject to the same criteria
regarding use of prods, downer movement, etc.
- Equipment used
to transport animals should be inspected on a regular
basis in order to protect livestock from injury.
-
Management
- The mission
statement should include a commitment to animal well-being.
This message should be reiterated throughout the operation
as it shows management’s commitment to animal
care.
- All personnel
should be trained in their job responsibilities with
regard to animal care (flight zones, movement, etc.).
- All protocols
should be written, and posted, in the employee’s
native language.
- The farm should
have a written emergency contact sheet that is immediately
accessible to employees including emergency phone contacts,
directions to the hospital, full address of the property
or 911 addresses, etc. This contact sheet is in addition
to the emergency action plan which details what to do
in case of a fire, natural disaster, etc.
References:
Practical
Euthanasia of Cattle, Animal Welfare Committee of the American
Association of Bovine Practitioners, GrogG98-00985, www.aabp.org/resources/euth.pdf
Livestock
Behavior, Design of Facilities and Humane Slaughter, Dr. Temple
Grandin’s Web Page, www.grandin.com
FDA Compliance
Policy Guide 7125.37 (Proper Drug Use and Residue Avoidance
by Non-Veterinarians)
United
States Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR Part 530 –
definition of Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship)
Livestock
Handling and Transport, 2nd Edition, Edited by T. Grandin, CABI
Publishing, 2000.
Validus,
Animal Welfare Review – Dairy Program, USDA/PVP, 2006.
Guide for
the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research
and Teaching, Federation of Animal Science Societies, First
Revised Edition, January, 1999
Housing
and Facilities
Guiding
Principle:
Facilities should be designed, constructed and maintained to
provide and promote animal health, comfort and safety.
Background:
Facilities include all housing structures, handling structures,
lots, pens, stalls, alleys and pastures that are inhabited
by cattle of any age and health status. Facilities should
provide sufficient protection from temperature extremes. Feed
and water should be provided within an area that is accessible
to cattle in the facility. The structural integrity of the
facility should not compromise the safety and well-being of
the animals.
Guidelines
for Calves (Birth to Weaning or Sale) and Young Stock (Weaning
to Parturition or Sale):
Calves and young stock should be given adequate space to stand,
lie down, and turn around without difficulty, provided bedding
that is clean and dry and be protected from seasonal weather
extremes.
Background
for Calves (Birth to Weaning or Sale):
Calf hygiene should be scored on a point system as described
by the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP)
(2002) and Fulwider et al. (2007) and used as an indicator
of pen and facility cleanliness. Feed and water should be
available at all times. Calf death loss should be used as
an indicator of calf care quality. Colostrum, or a colostrum
replacement, should be fed within the first 24 hours following
parturition to promote immune system development (Stull &
McDonough, (1994), Grandin, (2007)). Calves should be given
shade and shelter from direct sunlight.
Background
for Young Stock (Weaning to Parturition or Sale):
Young stock should be provided with adequate space to stand,
lie down, and turn around without difficulty. All animals
should have access to water at all times. They should be supplied
with ample feed to maintain body condition scores greater
than 2 in 90% of the herd with no more than 3% of animals
below body condition score 1 (Grandin, 2007). All lanes and
alleys should be maintained to avoid cattle movement through
extreme mud, water, etc. in inclement weather. Animal hygiene
should be scored as an indicator of bedding area and travel
lane cleanliness. A scoring system has been described by NYSCHAP
(2002) and Fulwider et al. (2007). Young stock death loss
should be used as an indicator of care quality. Areas of high
traffic should be covered with a nonslip surface. Slips and
falls are indicators of traffic surface quality. Grandin (2007)
cites a slip score of greater than 1% and/or falls greater
than 0% as indicators of improper handling, poor travel surface
or both.
Guidelines
for Adult Animals:
Adult animals should be given adequate space to stand and lie
down, be provided bedding that is clean and dry and be protected
from seasonal weather extremes. Facility design and maintenance
should be adequate to prevent injury and the development of
leg lesions.
Background
for Adult Animals:
Fulwider et al. (2007) describes a scoring system for leg
lesions. Animals should be supplied with non-slip flooring
in high traffic areas such as parlor entrances, exit lanes
or areas where slips and falls are more likely. In addition,
cow hygiene should be scored as described by Fulwider et al.
(2007) as an indicator of facility hygiene. Locomotion scores
as described by NYSCHAP (2002) should also be used to determine
foot and leg health. Electric stall trainers, commonly used
to reduce back arching during defecation and urination, should
never make continuous contact with animals. Animals should
have access to water at all times and feed in adequate quantity
to maintain body condition scores greater than 2 in 90% of
the herd with no more than 3% of cows below body condition
score 1 (Grandin, 2007). Animals should also have the ability
to lie down at any time when inhabiting the bedding area.
Facilities need to be maintained in a manner that reduces
the risk of animal collision with protruding objects such
as broken boards or rails and protruding nails. Grandin (2007)
outlines a simple method of accessing lameness prevalence,
which can be an indicator of facility deficiencies.
Guidelines
for Herd Bulls:
Herd bulls should be evaluated under the same guidelines as
young stock.
References:
Fulwider, W.K.; Grandin T.; Garrick, D.J.; Engle, T.E.; Lamb
W.D.; Halsted, N.L. ; Rollin, B.E. 2007. Influence of Free-Stall
Base on Tarsal Join Lesions and Hygiene in Dairy Cows. J. Dairy
Sic. 90:3559-3566.
Grandin,
T. 2007. Outline of cow welfare critical control points for
dairies. Grandin Livestock Handling Systems. Fort Collins, CO.
Accessed online 6/18/2007:
http://www.grandin.com/cow.welfare.ccp.html.
NYSCHAP.
2002. NYSCHAP Cattle Welfare Certification Module Outline. Accessed
online 8/1/2007: http://nyschap.vet.cornell.edu/module/welfare/section1/Cattle%20Welfare%20Guidelines.pdf
Stull,
C.L. and McDonough, S.P.; 1994. Multidisciplinary Approach to
Evaluating Welfare of Veal Calves in Commercial Facilities.
J. Animal Science. 72:2518-2524.
Handling,
Movement and Transportation
Guiding
Principle:
All animals and animal groups should be handled, moved and transported
in a manner that minimizes behavior modification and the potential
for injury, discomfort or disease.
Guideline:
Facilities should be designed and maintained so animals can
be moved in a manner that prevents slips, falls and collisions.
Employees should be trained to follow appropriate handling,
movement and transportation protocols.
Background
for Non-Ambulatory Animals:
Although generally not common on farms, animals can become
non-ambulatory for numerous reasons which range from acute
injury, such as a broken leg or nerve damage from calving
to attenuating illness or severe lameness. When an animal
becomes non-ambulatory, the potential for recovery must be
assessed. Animals that are likely to recover should be moved
to an area with adequate bedding, access to feed and water,
with no risk of trampling by other animals and with appropriate
shelter from direct sunlight or inclement weather. Non-ambulatory
animals that cannot be carried should be moved with an appropriate
sled, sling or bucket with the exception of cases where an
animal absolutely must be moved a short distance before an
appropriate movement aid can be used (e.g., if a cow becomes
non-ambulatory in the parlor). Animals should not be pulled,
dragged, or otherwise moved through force applied directly
to the animal. The prognosis of the animal should be considered
before the decision is made to move an animal. If the animal
is highly unlikely to become ambulatory again, and/or has
been treated with drugs that have a long withdrawal period
before slaughter with little chance of recovery, it should
be euthanized and then moved to prevent unnecessary pain and
suffering. Farms should have a plan for dealing with non-ambulatory
animals. This would likely be a part of the herd health plan.
Background
for Euthanasia:
Euthanasia may be necessary on animals with a terminal prognosis
that are unfit for slaughter. Euthanasia should be performed
in a manner consistent with the standards set by the American
Association of Bovine Practitioners. The following methods
of euthanasia are acceptable:
• Gunshot
• Captive bolt
• Barbiturate overdose
• Electrocution
• Exsanguination preceded by any of the above
Euthanasia
by blunt force trauma such as a hammer blow, exsanguination
without stunning, injection of air or chemicals that would
cause a painful death, or electrocution with wall current
are not acceptable methods.
Background for Handling Facilities (Including Parlor and Loading/Transport
Facilities):
Handling facilities, including trailers, must be well maintained
and free of objects that may cause bruising such as broken
boards or rails or improperly adjusted parlor rails. Vocalization
can also be scored in these areas as an indicator of facility
or handling issues. All loading and transport facilities should
be equipped with non-slip flooring. This is especially important
in breeding age animals to prevent injury when riding. Grandin
(2007) recommends audit failure if 1% of cows slip and fall
in the parlor.
Recommended
loading densities of trucks and parlor holding pens range
from 12 square feet per head for 1,000 pound animals to 18
square feet per head for 1,400 pound animals (Grandin, 1981).
These densities are not the absolute standard and must be
adjusted for calves and special needs animals.
Background
for Cattle Handling and Movement:
Animals are to be handled in a calm, controlled, and gentle
manner. Employees should be properly trained in animal handling
and the consequences of inhumane handling should be known
and enforced. Handlers should be assessed and retrained on
a regular basis. Prods, canes and other extreme cattle handling
aids are rarely necessary and should only be used in situations
that may potentially cause harm to the handler or the animals.
Animals should be moved in a manner that produces less than
1% slips and falls. If this threshold is exceeded, handling
and facilities should be evaluated and corrective action should
be taken.
Background
for Animal Fitness for Transport:
Animals that have a doubtful chance of reaching the harvest
facility in an ambulatory state should be treated or euthanized
at the farm. High risk animals include those with body condition
scores of 1, animals that are severely lame and animals that
have experienced nerve damage due to parturition. If an animal
is likely to experience difficulty walking up the ramp to
board a trailer, it is unlikely the animal will remain ambulatory
for the entire trip unless special measures such as the addition
of bedding or transporting the animal in a smaller trailer
with lower stocking density are provided.
References:
American Association of Bovine Practitioners. 1999. Practical
Euthanasia of Cattle: Considerations for the Producer, Livestock
Market Operator, Livestock Transporter, and Veterinarian. Accessed
online 6/18/2007: http://www.aabp.org/resources/euth.asp.
Grandin,
T. 1981. Livestock Trucking Guide. Livestock Conservation Institute.
Bowling Green, KY. Accessed online 6/19/07: http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/rec.truck.html.
Grandin,
T. 2007. Outline of cow welfare critical control points for
dairies. Grandin Livestock Handling Systems. Fort Collins, CO.
Accessed online 6/18/2007: http://www.grandin.com/cow.welfare.ccp.html.
Third Party Oversight
Guiding
Principle:
Verifying on-farm dairy animal well-being requires third party
oversight.
Guideline:
All dairy animal well-being programs should include third party
oversight to verify the program meets the principles and guidelines
established by the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Coalition
to demonstrate our commitment to meeting our ethical obligation
to provide for the well-being of animals in the U.S. dairy industry.
Background:
Third party oversight demonstrates credibility to our stakeholders.
Verification requires participation by someone who does not
have a financial interest in the operation or the outcome
of the verification process. There are many forms of third
party oversight. Some use a quality control model that verifies
a statistical sample of participants to assure the overall
program is achieving the intended outcome. Others may use
different methods. Whatever method is used, the program must
demonstrate that it is meeting our ethical obligation and
that performance is verified by some type of third party oversight.
We
encourage you to forward your comments to your co-op or producer
organization, enabling them to compile all comments from their
members which may then be forwarded to the Principles and Guidelines
committee. Comments are requested by July 1, 2008.
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