Welfare of extensively farmed animals: Principles and practice

In September 1994 a meeting was held in Edinburgh, UK, on the welfare of extensively farmed animals and this paper is an overview of that meeting including summaries of the discussions, workshops and conclusions. First the general principles involved were considered, and then the practice in two contrasting areas: the European Community and New Zealand. Workshops then considered Theoretical frameworks, Zoo and wild animals, Socio-economic pressures and Disease and parasitism, the last of these giving rise to recommendations on research and policy. Specific subjects were approached with emphasis on the need for interdisciplinary collaboration: Genetics and the environment, Neonatal survival and Fear and Stress. Lastly, conclusions were drawn on implications of extensive systems for animal welfare, on approaches to minimising the risks involved and on general priorities for research and policy.