Abstract

Contemporary concerns with animal welfare are increasingly being expressed through reference to the Five Freedoms, paraphrased as animal needs. However, in addition to providing for the needs of livestock, breeding animals to suit the environment, especially in extensive farming systems, is an inherent quality of good stockmanship. Although most farm animal breeding goals are directed at increasing productivity, some, for example resistance to disease or ease of giving birth, also contribute to enhanced animal health and welfare. Increasingly societal expectations are shaping the practices of animal rearing and management, and more recently breeding. It is suggested that those responsible for breeding and selection acknowledge the potential animal health and welfare consequences, both positive and negative, of breeding goals. In so doing that they be prepared for the need to articulate those goals in terms of animal health and welfare, or the need for relevant animal husbandry skills and resources. Subsequently, where necessary they incorporate animal welfare objectives into their breeding programmes. In addition, animal welfare interests need to be aware of the limitations of relying solely on the Five Freedoms, or needs of animals, and acknowledge the wider aspects of good animal husbandry which contribute to animal welfare.

MW, Fisher, and AJF Webster

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, Christchurch, 135-139, 2009