Sweden and Welfare Quality

The Welfare Quality (WQ) conference did not disappoint, and confirmed the fact that animal welfare is very high up the European political agenda. Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the EU and prides itself on a positive track record within the field of animal welfare. The opening statements were made by the Swedish Minister for Agriculture and the EU Commissioner for DG Health and Consumers. The seniority of these speakers was not surprising when you contemplate that this was the closing meeting of a 7 year project that has cost 20 million Euros.

The WQ project has worked with three species; cattle, pigs and poultry. Sheep were not included due to the perceived lack of welfare problems and also the low numbers of sheep being farmed within the EU (excluding the UK). The project brought together animal and social scientists, in a quest to find a solution that delivered on consumer demands re animal welfare but that was also achievable, measurable and had positive cost benefits on farm. Much work had been done on animal based measures which could be scored, but proposals on practical methods of implementation within realistic time frames on farm was lacking. Maybe it is a case of the scientists delivering on the research and leaving it to chance whether the anything else happens! Justifiable comments were made on the danger of just another scheme, another inspection and more regulation.

What did I take away from my two days in Sweden?

• An understanding of the WQ project (Strength and weaknesses)
  
• A chance to meet with stakeholders from all over the world - on the first day I sat next to a legislator from Estonia and a meat marketing manager from Namibia (one sheep/15 acres!)
  
• An insight into the roles and significant influence of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on all aspects of animal production including welfare.

On my return to the farm the key task was to put some rams out with our Beulah ewes to ensure some lambs next Spring! We now have two weeks to prepare the farm our six week absence.