In organic cattle and pig farming, access to outdoor runs or pasture is required by law. However, husbandry systems with fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor areas are becoming increasingly common. This presents a challenge when applying the EU Organic Farming Regulation, particularly with regard to distinguishing between indoor and outdoor areas. Although the total available area may be sufficient, the minimum indoor area can formally be undercut - without this being associated with disadvantages for the animals. In fact, open systems often offer benefits such as increased freedom of movement or exposure to outdoor climatic stimuli.
The aim of the project was to develop husbandry criteria that provide information on the animal welfare level of a husbandry system, regardless of space allocation. The criteria were jointly developed with experts from practice, advisory services and research and will be tested using examples of innovative husbandry systems.
The results show that in open housing systems, the distinction between indoor and outdoor areas is of limited relevance. Instead, the developed criteria should be used to assess whether the housing system meets the requirements for high animal welfare. The final report was submitted to the European Commission's Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) for further evaluation.
Project partners:
Association for Technology and Structures in Agriculture e.V. (KTBL) e.V. (Overall coordination)
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland
University of Kassel, Department of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Section
The Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, in collaboration with FiBL Switzerland, developed the scientific foundations for pig husbandry.
