Animal welfare at the heart of the breeder’s business
Caring for animals is a major concern for calf breeders. As soon as they arrive on the farm, calves are given special attention to help them settle into their new environment with confidence: learning to drink, to live in a group, and to find their way around. Several times each day, the breeders check on them, observe them one by one, make sure that they’re well and attend to their needs.
Calves live in groups of six on average in spacious, well-ventilated and well-lit barns, which are designed to allow them to express their natural behaviours: running, frolicking or stretching out to their full length. This commitment is reflected at every stage of production. In breeding, through rigorous monitoring and the continuous improvement of living conditions (changes to pen sizes, choice of flooring). During transport, which is governed by strict regulations and professional guidelines designed to ensure the comfort and safety of the animals.
For several years, the sector has been addressing the issue of animal welfare as part of the overall “One Welfare” approach. It provides its professionals with practical tools to assess and improve their practices, such as the SECURIVO project, which measures the level of bio safety of breeding and imits the introduction and diffusion of infectious agents.
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