“Institutionalized” in 1979 by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), the Five Fundamental Freedoms of Farm Animals date back to 1965.
Here are what are the 5 freedoms that protect welfare in farm animals:
- freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition through easy and free access to clean water in addition to a diet suitable for staying healthy;
- freedom from discomfort through the provision of an ideal environment with shelters and rest areas;
- freedom from pain, injury and disease through prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of diseases;
- freedom to express normal behaviors, through sufficient space, and by facilitating social contacts with animals of the same species;
- freedom from fear and pain, ensuring living conditions and treatment that avoid psychological suffering.
They are more relevant today than ever before.
These Five Fundamental Freedoms highlight a broader concept of animal welfare, in which the psychological well-being of animals is included in addition to physical well-being, confirming society’s increased sensitivity to the problem.
While it is true that consumers are interested in animal welfare because they are increasingly concerned about what they eat, it is also, and more importantly, important to remember that an animal that grows in a controlled environment is less prone to disease, grows faster, and the end product is of higher quality. These are all advantages for a farmer aimed at optimizing his production.
