突出“动物福利”的《畜牧法》

《中华人民共和国畜牧法》即将实施，这是新中国成立以来第一次对畜禽的遗传资源保护利用、繁育、饲养、经营、运输等环节全面立法。最突出的是首次体现了“动物福利”的理念。专业人士说，这反映了我国的社会进步和文明。

“动物福利”应有边界

近日，媒体披露一起“野猪事件”：光天化日之下，一村妇被疯狂的野猪活活咬死。野猪是国家保护动物，保护野猪，是人与自然和谐相处的应有态度。但是由于野猪繁殖的速度太快，加上一些地方“过度保护”的偏执，导致野猪泛滥成灾。

“撞熊事件”与“动物福利”

一头气喘吁吁的黑熊在前面惊慌逃跑，一辆满载游客的旅游车在后面紧追不舍，车头每顶撞一下黑熊的屁股，笨拙的黑熊就会摔一个趔趄，游客在车上随之爆发出一阵哄笑……这是黄金周期间，辽宁省旅顺狮虎园表演的一个节目．

为“动物福利”立法的现实思考

于今年1月1日正式实施的《北京市公园条例》规定,在公园内惊吓、投打、伤害动物的要处以50元以上100元以下的罚款。构成犯罪的要依法追究刑事责任。这是最新一条有关保护动物的规定。之前,有关爱护动物的话题,在发生了极端的虐待动物事件后,如割掉宠物声带、硫酸伤熊、微波炉烹狗、

“动物福利”教学设计

1 设计背景 “动物福利”是北京师范大学附属中学高二年级“生命伦理学选修课”中的一个专题。茫茫宇宙中，动物和人类共同分享着一个地球，文明人道地对待动物，与人类自身的利益息息相关。世界上已有100多个国家和地区制定实施了旨在保护动物福利的法律法规。而我国的动物福利状况不容乐观。

如何正确理解“动物福利”

近年来．国内出现了多起动物福利相关的热门事件，如“硫酸伤熊””抵制狗肉节”等，引发了许多争议。国务院发展研究中,15研究室副主任、副研究员吴平近日撰文指出，作为世界动物卫生组织（OIE）的一员，中国政府认可OIE规定的各项动物福利的原则和标准。应该正确理解动物福利的定义及其与人类文明的关系。

基于深度学习的群猪分割方法

【目的】实时监控猪舍内猪只状态以及在出栏前对猪只进行计数满足“动物福利化”养殖需求,而实现实时监控与计数的前提条件之一是对图像进行分割。【方法】图像分割方式有传统阈值分割以及引入深度学习概念的语义分割和实例分割。课题组介绍了语义分割的DeepLab V3+模型,作为语义分割中较晚出现的模型,DeepLab V3+模型在分割精度上相较于之前的模型有了巨大的提升,但分割速度仍较慢,无法满足实时监控的需求。基于此,课题组提出用Mobilenet V2主干网络替代原有Xception网络来改进模型,并引入了通道注意力机制以及空间注意力机制,然后分别利用原始模型和改进后的模型进行了试验。【结果】在精度上,改进后的V2模型稍弱于原始模型,加入注意力机制后的模型又优于V2模型0.48%而弱于原始模型2.97%,但在响应速度上,改进后的模型速度提升了38.77%。在分割效果上,三个模型的差异不大。【结论】相较于原始模型,改进后的模型精度略有下降,但是响应速度大幅提升,从而大大提高了模型分割的速度,满足了猪舍监控分割速度快的需求。

动物福利立法离我们有多远

每逢长假，有的人外出旅游，有的人探亲访友，还有一些人则是到鹿场排队喝鹿血补身。活吃猴脑，活熊取胆，再加上现在的活取鹿血，频频出现的动物受虐待的事件，已经引起社会和媒体的关注，使“动物福利”的概念为更多人知晓，为动物福利立法的呼声也越来越高。正如圣雄甘地的名言：“一个国家伟大不伟大、道德水准高不高，从它对待动物的方式就可以评断出来。”世界上很多国家早已制定了明确的法律，切实保障动物免受不必要的伤害。而我国只有濒危物种受到法律保护，伤害或者杀死其他动物卖作食品，则不会受到任何惩罚。根据媒体透露，一部名为《动物福利通则》的非强制性标准目前正在加紧制定。其内容主要是使动物生活舒适、不受饥渴、不受痛苦伤害和疾病、无恐惧和悲伤感以及表达天性的自由。

动物福利事关你我他

对于很多中国食品企业而言，“动物福利”并不陌生。近年来，中国出口到欧洲国家的肉类制品多次遭到抵制，就是因为动物福利标准太低的缘故。

Effect of Transport Time and Handling on Physiological Responses of Cattle

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of transport time （up to 11 hours） on animal welfare. 540 animals （cows, bulls and calves）, three transport times of 2, 4 to 6, and 10 to 11 hours, and two space allowances （2 m2 and 1.5 m2 per animal for cows and bulls; and 1.2 m2 and 0.8 m2 per animal for calves） were used for the experiment during transport from farms to the abattoir in Uppsala, Sweden. Measurements were made on five animals on each trip. Stress response parameters considered were cortisol, glucose, lactate, creatine kinase and heart rate. Blood samples were taken before and after transport. Heart rate sensors were mounted on the animals at least 30 minutes before loading and measurements were made continuously from farms to the abattoirs until stunning. The results of heart rate measurement indicated that loading, un-loading and forced movement in the stunning box were the most stressful events. However, the results of statistical analysis confirmed that transport time doesn＇t have significant effect （P 〈 0.05） on heart rate. Concentration level of cortisol increased by 10 folds during short transport. However, cortisol concentration decreased with an increase of transport times （P 〈 0.01）. Glucose concentrations increased with transport time in all animal categories （P ≤ 0.01）. Transport time has significant effect on concentration levels of glucose （P ≤ 0.01）, creatine kinase （P 〈 0.001） and lactate （P 〈 0.01） particularly after 6 hours journey time.

Improving Loading Facilities and Methods to Minimize Stress on Animals during Transport from Farm to Abattoir

Transport and handlings of slaughter animals are associated with series of stressful activities which compromise the welfare of animals. The main objective of this study was to improve loading methods and facilities to minimize the prevailing adverse effects on animal welfare during transport. The study was conducted using cattle from animal farms in Uppsala, Sweden. Data were gathered through field measurements. The inclination of loading ramp was measured using inclinometer while floor quality was evaluated using Skid Resistance Tester. The effect of using loading dock was studied. Continuous measurements of heart rate were made on 349 animals using POLAR Vantage equipment, before transport, during transport and unloading. Vocalization, refusal to leave original place, defecation, urination, refusal to move forward towards a gate, slipping, running away and falling were also observed and recorded as indicators of behavioural alterations during loading activities. The size of observed ramp angles in the farms ranged from 5° to 29°. The heart rate measurement result indicated that loading, unloading and confinement in the stunning box were the most stressful activities. During loading, heart rate elevated by about 42.5% when the animals were forced to leave their original place and turn 180 ℃, by about 39% when animals were forced to move to the loading gate and by about 75% when animals were forced to climb the ramp. The result showed that heart rate increased significantly （P 〈 0.007） with an increase of ramp angle. During loading, when loading dock was used, ramp angle was about zero degree and the increase in heart rate was marginal （ranging from 10% to 23%）, while the figure was about 75% without loading dock. About 72% of loose animals and 89% of tied animals strongly refused to climb the ramp and enter the vehicle. Regarding floor quality, the rubber mat had the highest friction coefficient of 0.72 ± 0.024 BPN （British Pendulum Number） and concrete slates had the lowest friction coefficient （0.39 ± 0.028 BPN）. Incidence of slippery was observed more in tied animals than in loose animals. About 5.7% of observed animals （280 animals） had elongated and curled hooves.

End of Transportation of Spent Laying Hens： From Idea to Solution

Transportation of spent laying hens causes them severe suffering. HAI-MESHEK （The Israeli Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals） looked for ways to decrease the suffering and finally developed the solution. Spent laying hens are brutally taken out of the cages, and with broken legs and chests pressed into small boxes for transportation to the slaughter-house. Removing all hens from the cages, transportation, waiting in the slaughter-house and slaughtering all hens is a long and hard-suffering time, which may take 8-10 hours. Hai-Meshek conducted a research, aimed at finding more humane methods of transportation. The findings from other countries were very disappointing. Even in countries having high level of animal welfare, about 30% of the hens arrived at the slaughter-house with broken limbs! The conclusion was that even better method, imposed by legislation, would not solve the problem： it is difficult to detect truck drivers violating the rules and the fine is negligible, compared to the savings by the abovementioned cruel method. The only humane solution is by preventing the transportation and slaughtering on farm. Spent laying hens are not edible, so they need not be slaughtered in the slaughter-house. Hai-Meshek initiated and participated in the development and the building of a facility for the humane killing of spent laying hens on farms. The hens aye electrified and die in 1-1.5 seconds. This method costs far less than transportation and slaughtering. The Poultry Council, which takes care to remove spent laying hens from farms, requires contractors to use the facility and they bring it to every farm in Israel. The facility is also used for killing sick flocks. No more transportation of spent laying hens is allowed!

Behavioral Differentiation between Anas poecilorhyncha and Domestic Duck

Anas poecilorhyncha is one of improved variety of mallards, which was the protected bird species listed by International Union for Conservation of Nature （1UCN）. Little is known until now about behavioral characteristics of the mallard. The objective of this study was to compare the behavioral differentials between A. poecilorhyncha and domestic duck in order to make a strategy to manage A. poecilorhyncha under the condition of animal welfare. A total of 180 birds were distributed into six groups with 30 birds for each group. They were placed in a room of 3 m ~ 4 m and fed for one year old. Sansui ducks, a kind of native domestic duck （Sansui laying duck） were used for behavioral comparison. Two different rooms in the same building were applied, one room for A. poecilorhyncha and another one for Sansui ducks. All behaviors for A. poecilorhyncha and Sansui ducks were coded using the program The Observer XT 11.5 （Noldus Information Technology, Beijing）. The duration of observation was from 8：00 am to 18：00 pm daily and lasted 5 d. The results showed that there were similar behavioral percentages between A. poecilorhyncha and domestic duck. Percentages of standing activity spent for A. poecilorhyncha and Sansui duck were 34.59% and 30.25%, respectively. Accordingly, the activities, such as wing plugging, preening and head stretching, were more than 5.51%. The other activities, including walking, drinking and tail wagging, occupied less proportions （〈 3%）. While the specific behaviors, like aggression, alerting, wing dithering, clawing, nodding, pendulum clawing and crawling, took less than 1% of percentage. There were large differences between A. poecilorhyncha and domestic duck when comparing eight behavioral peaks. Lag sequential analysis was used to calculate frequency of transition between a pair of activities. Some parameters were very significant, like the frequency value from foraging converted to drinking in Sansui duck was 369-515, but 37-65 in A. poecilorhyncha. The best explaining could be given that Sansui duck was better domesticated than spot-billed duck. This study provides the basic data to study and develop spot-billed duck.

Reduced Ammonia Release by Frequently Removal of Manure below Draining Floors in a Floor Housing System for Laying Hens

The hygienic threshold limit values for ammonia （25 ppm） for animal welfare but also for occupational safety and health is often exceeded in floor housing systems for laying hens with long time storage of manure in bins below draining floors. The major reason for high ammonia concentrations is the large amounts of stored and exposed manure. The possibility to reduce ammonia release by reducing the amount of stored manure in bins in floor housing systems for laying hens has therefore been investigated. Investigations were carried out in a climate chamber equipped with a floor housing system with a manure removal system with two parallel motor driven conveyors placed below an elevated draining floor. The conditions when manure is stored in bins below draining floors were simulated by storing manure on the conveyors for several days at constant ventilation rates and temperatures. The investigations clearly showed that storage of manure in the bin caused a rapid increase in ammonia concentrations. After about 7 days storage of manure in the bin the ammonia concentration exceeded the hygienic threshold limit values. It can be concluded that long time storage of manure in storage bins below draining floors should not be recommended. It was possible to maintain the ammonia concentration below the hygienic threshold limit values when manure was removed frequently with conveyors. Floor housing systems for laying hens with elevated draining floors should therefore be equipped with manure removal systems that enable frequent removal of manure in the bins.

Organic Dairy Cattle Breeding in Turkey： A Review

Organic animal breeding means the production of certified animal products by considering the well-being of animals without damaging the environment and without using any pesticide in a controlled manner. All aquaculture activities other than organic farming can be defined as conventional farming. Organic animal production has increased significantly annually over the past decade in the world. Dairy cattle production is examined with particular focus on the possibilities of improving the sustainability of ruminant systems and on the possible role of organic production to meet the demand of sustainability. Organic dairy cattle production can improve animal welfare, protect the environment and sustain rewarding rural life styles. Future of organic dairy cattle production will have to rely on continuous search for alternatives in nutrition, disease prevention and control that are environmentally friendly. Understanding organic dairy cattle farming from economic, ecological and animal welfare perspectives will increase the likelihood of success. In the current study, besides the basic principles of organic dairy cattle breeding that is a quite popular branch of business in recent years, the current state, weaknesses and strengths of organic dairy cattle breeding both in Turkey and the world and how organic dairy cattle breeding can be developed are discussed.

Evaluation of Education of Veterinarians in Animal Welfare Issues

Education of veterinarians in animal welfare issues is important to improve the welfare and health of animals. A questionnaire to 250 veterinarians related to their knowledge on animal welfare issues has been carried out at the Veterinary School of the University of the Republic, Uruguay, during March-April 2012. The questions were related to the courses on animal welfare veterinarians received, their main field of work, the importance given to the information offered and the quality of the topics addressed. From the total of veterinarians surveyed, 45% （112） answered the questionnaire. Of those who responded, 47% attended to three or more animal welfare courses, 18% assisted to two courses and 22% to one. The occupation of the 82% of respondents was with beef and dairy cattle （large animals） or in the meat industry equally. 10% works with small animals （especially pets） and poultry （production and industry）. The 95% of respondents considered that animal welfare is very important for their daily work with animals 65% reported that animal welfare concepts have high applicability in their job. 85% considered that animal welfare should be part of the veterinary curricula and 100% expressed their compliance to be present in other courses on the subject. These results emphasize the importance afforded by Uruguayan veterinarians to improve their knowledge on animal welfare and to continue including specific courses in the veterinary curricula.

The Welfare Assessment of Calves in Terms of the European Union Legislation

After entering to the Europe Union, Slovak Republic has implemented the EU legislation into the legislation of the Slovak Republic. The previous legislation of this country was effective in practice. So we were interested in, whether actual legislation is effective in practice too as previous or it will be necessary to make some changes in the legislation. This led us to carry out the assessment of welfare by farmed animal, specifically by calves. Our assessment was based on the Bristol Welfare Assurance Programme protocol developed at the University of Bristol. Very good results were achieved by assessment, and it shows about good level of legislation in the area of protection of animals, it has conditions and requirements, which will not require big changes and the breeder can ensure without bigger problems so to ensure to animals their five freedoms originally established by the Brambell Committee in 1965： （1） Freedom from hunger and thirst; （2） Freedom from discomfort; （3） Freedom fi＇om pain, injury or disease; （4） Freedom to express normal behaviour; （5） Freedom from fear and distress.

The Complementary Effect of Halal Principles and Sustainable Concept

This paper focuses on Malaysian Muslims perspective towards food safety, environment and animal welfare aspects of Halal principles in manufactured foods. Cross-sectional consumer data were collected through a survey. One thousand seven hundreds and sixteen （1,716） Muslim respondents all over Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed randomly via structured questionnaire in 2009 to address the issues on Muslim consumers＇ understanding and perspective of Halal principles and its relation to food safety, environmentally friendly and animal welfare. Descriptive and Chi-square analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed that majority of respondent relate Halal principles to food safety because Halal principle not only about slaughtering of animals but must also be Tyoibah or clean. The consumers from East of Peninsular Malaysia, with higher level religiosity and education level are more likely to understand the true meaning of Halal principles, Measuring the extent of consumers＇ understanding of Halal principles is vital, since Halal does not only focus on the Islamic processing but also sustainable concept of hygiene, sanitation and safety.