The 5 fundamental freedoms of animal welfare
Since the law of July 10, 1976, which defines an animal "as a sentient being that must be placed in conditions compatible with the biological imperatives of its species," welfare encompasses five fundamental freedoms to which every animal should have access:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst, through free access to fresh water and a suitable diet;
- Freedom from discomfort, through an appropriate environment, including shelters and comfortable resting areas;
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease; animals should not be subjected to mistreatment that could harm or injure them, and they should receive treatment if they become ill;
- Freedom from fear and distress, by ensuring rearing conditions that do not cause mental suffering;
- Freedom to express normal behaviors, through adequate space and facilities, and the opportunity for contact and interaction with other animals of their species.
In livestock farming, beyond the regulatory aspect, respecting animal welfare is self-evident. Firstly, because those who choose this profession do so out of a passion for animals. But also because only animals living in respectful conditions can fully express their genetic potential in terms of growth and productivity.
The quality of flooring in livestock buildings is an important factor in welfare, affecting comfort, cleanliness, and the prevention of diseases and injuries. Cows with healthy feet will produce longer and be more fertile, which will benefit economic results.
Floors that are too abrasive, slippery, or damp increase the risk of lameness. Lameness costs, on average, €250, not to mention the extra labor required to care for the sick animal. Furthermore, pain and reduced movement lead to decreased feed intake, which is detrimental to milk production. In cases of severe lameness, the Institut de l'Élevage estimates that milk production can decrease by up to 36%. The risk of premature culling is multiplied by 5, and there is 15 times greater risk of fertility problems. All of these represent lost profits for the farmer.
Investing in well-being: a winning return
Due to new but poorly grooved concrete, Patrick Busnot's cows, a farmer in Calvados, have accumulated foot problems and lameness. Faced with the scale of the difficulties, the farmer and his partners decided to install Magellan mats. « In a week, we saw a positive effect on the movement of the animals, recalls the farmer. Of course, installing mats represents a certain budget, but if we have less lameness, fewer injured cows, we will make up for it with a recovery in production. The comfort of the floor is all the more important for high-producing cows. If we want them to produce to the maximum, we must provide them with all possible comfort ».
At Gaec Etang de la Roche, in Marsac sur Don (44), Magellan mats were installed on 472 m2 to cover poorly scarified concrete and solve the problem of recurrent lameness among this herd of 180 cows. « The cost of the mat and the new scraper represents an investment of 2 euro cents per liter of milk, says Stéphane Roué. Before, we had 80 cases of lameness per year. By reducing their number, we will save on veterinary costs and gain in milk production. I think that in 2 or 3 years, we will have made this investment profitable ».
