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Animal welfare: Advice for farmers

Contract with ADAS

Defra has a contract with ADAS (an agricultural consultancy) to run an advisory programme for farmers to encourage good welfare. The contract includes visits to individual farms by ADAS at the request of Animal Health (formerly State Veterinary Service) officials, to provide general advice on such things as nutrition, housing, ventilation and pasture management.

The most substantial part of the contract is used to fund awareness campaigns on topics of welfare concern. Meetings, workshops, on-farm demonstrations are held around the country for farmers, managers and stock-keepers to review important welfare issues and to be brought up-to-date on the latest ideas and developments. These campaigns always create much interest within the industry and have been very successful in contributing to an increased awareness and better understanding of many of the key welfare issues. The majority of the campaigns are supported by leaflets or booklets and the publication of articles and notices in farming journals.

Campaigns for 2007/2008

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2007/2008.

Cattle
  • Avoiding losses and improving welfare in cattle rearing systems
Transport
  • The new Transport Regulations - Certificates of Competence
Pigs
  • Nursery Pig Management
Poultry
  • Improving the welfare of seasonally produced turkeys


Campaigns for 2006/2007

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2006/2007.

Transport
  • The new Transport Regulations - How will they affect you?
Poultry
  • Pododermatitis and Broiler Litter Management
  • Rearing Litter and Organic Replacement Pullets
Dairy
  • Dairy Cow Lameness - Practical Solutions to a Persistent Problem
Pigs
  • Minimising Stress in Pig Production
Beef
  • Beef Breeding Management

Campaigns for 2005/2006

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2005/2006.

Poultry
  • Pododermatitis and Broiler Litter Management
  • Health and Welfare of the Free Range Flock in Later Lay and Catching and Loading
Ruminants
  • Housing the Modern Dairy Cow
Pigs
  • Health and Welfare in the Rearing/Finishing Herd
Beef and sheep
  • Managing Suckler Cows After Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
  • Management of Growing Lambs

Campaigns for 2004/2005

The following advisory campaigns were carried out 2004/2005.

Poultry
  • Managing cage egg layers to minimise feather pecking and cannibalism
  • Managing barn egg layers to minimise feather pecking and cannibalism
  • Heat stress in broilers – reducing the risks
Ruminants
  • Milking Management and the Mastitis Management Action Plan
Pigs
  • Management of sick and injured pigs
  • Welfare in the Outdoor Unit
Beef and sheep
  • Lamb survival

Campaigns for 2003/2004

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2003/2004.

Poultry
  • Best Management Practice to Reduce Feather Pecking and Cannibalism in Laying Hens
  • Planning for the Future - Working within the Proposed EU Broiler Directive
Ruminants
Pigs

Campaigns for 2002/2003

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2002/2003.

Poultry
Ruminants
Pigs

Campaigns for 2001/2002

The following advisory campaigns were carried out in 2001/2002.

Poultry
Ruminants
Pigs
  • Development of home breeding programmes for replacement female stock
  • Dealing with emergency situations on the pig unit

Related PagesFarm fires - Protecting farm animal welfare (80kb)

Page last modified: 22 May, 2008

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs