Tierwohl in Deutschland systematisch erfassen: Projekt "Nationales Tierwohl-Monitoring" - am Beispiel Rind

No database is currently available to picture the status quo and the development of animal welfare in Germany’s agriculture, although this would be necessary to adopt and develop strategies and appropriate agricultural policies to improve animal welfare in conventional and organic agriculture systems. The aim of the project was to develop a concept for the implementation of an indicator-based animal welfare monitoring system covering the husbandry, transport and slaughter of cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, rainbow trout and carp. To reach this, a multilevel indicator selection procedure was realized, including a literature review to find suitable indicators, a stakeholder analysis to include different perspectives and sample audits as well as questionnaires to test indicator-sets in practice. Furthermore, the data availability of existing data sources as well as additional aspects (e.g. necessary funding and infrastructure) were analysed to provide recommendations for policymakers.