SUMMARY
Subject
EFSA Scientific Opinions
Target audience
National Reference Centres, Supporting Bodies, Policy Workers & Competent Authorities
EFSA Scientific Opinion on Welfare of Calves
©SLU BLOKHUIS Harry
On March 29th, the European Food Safety Authority published a new Scientific Opinion on the welfare of calves addressing an European Commission request related with the Farm to Fork strategy. EFSA was asked to provide a description of common husbandry systems and related welfare consequences, as well as measures to prevent or mitigate the hazards leading to them. In addition, recommendations on three specific issues were requested: welfare of calves reared for white veal (space, group housing, requirements of iron and fibre); risk of limited cow calf contact; and animal-based measures (ABMs) to monitor on-farm welfare in slaughterhouses. EFSA recommends that calves should not be kept in indiviudal pens, have sufficient space to rest and play, and access to comfortable bedding. The findings on calves and the upcoming opinion on dairy cows and ducks will be presented at a public event on 23 May 2023.
