In 1979 the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC),
an independent advisory organ of the European Committee,
determined that animals in cattle farming have a right
to the following 5 "freedoms".
Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain
full health and vigour.
Freedom from discomfort - by providing
an appropriate environment including shelter and a
comfortable resting area.
Freedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express normal behavior - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities
and company of the animal's own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid
mental suffering.
A short life without pain, fear, hunger, and sorrow, is that a life?
Although farmers undoubtedly have the intention to care for their animals and provide them with what they consider essential needs, we cannot overlook the unnatural conditions in the barns where these animals are kept. It is a sad reality that many animals in the livestock industry are confined under minimal conditions that are far removed from what we would consider natural and just.
These animals, whether chickens, pigs, or other farm animals, are kept in conditions that offer them little space for natural behavior, let alone experiencing freedom. The limited space, lack of social interaction, often artificial environments they live in, and the boredom, make it difficult to argue that they lead a life that respects their intrinsic dignity as living beings.
While it is true that farmers strive to minimize animal suffering, with the aim of minimizing stress and discomfort for the animals, we cannot ignore that the crux of the matter lies here: these animals have the right to a life of freedom, in conditions that enable them to exhibit their natural behavior and experience a certain degree of autonomy.
It is therefore our duty to critically reflect on the current practices in the livestock industry and strive for a more ethical approach to the keeping and treatment of farm animals. This means not only improving living conditions within current systems but also reconsidering the fundamental assumptions about how we treat animals in our food production.
As a society, we must recognize that animals are not just products that can be shaped to our liking, but living beings who inherently deserve respect, dignity, and a life free from unnecessary suffering. This is a challenge that we must collectively address, in the interest of both animal welfare and our own moral integrity.
they have to live in the dark almost 24 hours a
day (and only get an hour of light around nine a.m.
for instance);
they are castrated without anesthetics;
they are jammed between two bars so they cannot
turn over or groom themselves;
they cannot root among the ground;
they have no resting areas covered with straw,
but a grated floor;
they have to live in the ammonia stench of their
own manure;
they are transported to the slaughterhouse under
stressful and violent conditions in trucks.
The site of the Dutch Ministry says:
In total 80% of the pig farms and 58% of the meat pig
farms violate one or more aspects of the pig decree.
There has been a lot of evidence on violations of the
ban on…
sow standing space shorter than 2 meters (non-conformance
is 61%);
too little floor space for piglets;
less than two thirds of a boar stable closed off;
lacking an adequate sick bay (non-conformation 10%);
keeping pigs in the dark or under insufficient lighting
(non-conformance 13%);
lacking an alarm installation for mechanical ventilation
(non-conformance 32%);
lacking diversion material (non-conformance 25%).
Cows
With cows these rights are not met when….
Calves are taken away from their mothers directly
after birth to be fattened elsewhere. Calves have
served their purpose by being born. The cow's milk
is used for human consumption.
They have no opportunity to go outside (into a
pasture).
They are tied down for entire winters.
Other animals
We have a number of pictures of (small) spaces that are daily practice in free-ranging
farms.
See also the proclamation for animal rights and manifesto for farm animals.
Laying hens
With battery-hens the 5 (basic) animals rights are not met, when…
their beaks are docked;
chickens cannot roost during their sleep and are
forced to live in a disrupted day/night rhythm so
they will lay more eggs;
are forced to permanently live near members of
their species they want to avoid (pecking order);
cannot free-range (outside), dig around or take
dust baths;
are pushed violently into crates for transport,
risking fracture, and transported to the slaughterhouse
in trucks under stressful conditions.
With