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Animal Centered Research beyond ACI: Exploring the Applicability of Animal Centered Principles to All Animal Research
Full text linkThis workshop aims to explore the applicability of Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) research ethics beyond the field’s remit, to develop an animal-centered approach to the use of animals in research more broadly. The event is part of a longer-term project aiming to rearticulate the framework of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). The workshop is targeted at researchers from different disciplines, experienced in conducting animal research from different perspectives (e.g., farming, medicine, conservation, welfare). The event will involve group work sessions during which participants will discuss diverse case studies, exploring the applicability of animal-centered ethics principles when designing research that involves animals, and plenary discussions during which participants will share challenges identified, collectively explore possible ways to address them in practice and produce policy suggestions to facilitate the implementation of scenario-specific trade-offs. The workshop will be run both in presence and virtually, to promote inclusion of participants from different geographic areas. The envisaged outcome of the event will be the establishment of a working group to develop a framework, with input from organizations and representatives who inform policies on the use of animals in research, and provide a resource for researchers and practitioners whose work involves animals and for whom the application of animal-cantered technologies, methods or frameworks may be relevant
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Relevance, Impartiality, Welfare and Consent: Principles of an Animal-Centered Research Ethics
Full text linkThe principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) were developed to address the ethical dilemma that arises from the use of animals, without their consent, in procedures that may harm them but that are deemed necessary to achieve a greater good. While aiming to protect animals, the 3Rs are underpinned by a process-centered ethical perspective which regards them as instruments in a scientific apparatus. This paper explores the applicability of an animal-centered ethics to animal research, whereby animals would be regarded as autonomous subjects, legitimate stakeholders in and contributors to a research process, with their own interests and capable of consenting and dissenting to their involvement. This perspective derives from the ethical stance taken within the field of Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI), where researchers acknowledge that an animal-centered approach is essential to ensuring the best research outcomes. We propose the ethical principles of relevance, impartiality, welfare and consent, and a scoring system to help researchers and delegated authorities assess the extent to which a research procedure aligns with them. This could help researchers determine when being involved in research is indeed in an animal's best interests, when a procedure could be adjusted to increase its ethical standard or when the use of non-animal methods is more urgently advisable. We argue that the proposed principles should complement the 3Rs within an integrated ethical framework that recognizes animals' autonomy, interests and role, for a more nuanced ethical approach and for supporting the best possible research for the benefit animal partakers and wider society
Growth traits, carcass and meat quality of heavy pigs receiving different enrichment tools
Full text linkTwo separate and independent trials were carried out to investigate the effect of innovative enrichment devices on Italian heavy pigs' growth parameters, carcass traits, meat and ham quality. In Trial 1, 20 pigs received a hanging metal chain (C1) as environmental enrichment, and 20 received wood (poplar) logs (WL) placed inside a metal rack installed on one side of the pen. In trial 2, 20 pigs received a metal chain (C2), whereas 20 animals received a specifically formulated edible block (EB) placed inside the same metal rack described above. Enrichments were always available to pigs. Animal were kept on slatted floors and liquid-fed twice a day. Trials started when animals were approximately 80 days old (average Body Weight – BW=28 kg) and ended at slaughtering (average BW=158 kg, age: 285 days in Trial 1 and 280 days in Trial 2). Growth parameters, carcass traits and meat quality data were collected, (including hams weight during dry-curing) and submitted to analysis of variance. The pen (5 pigs) was taken as the experimental unit for growth parameters, the individual was used as the experimental unit for carcass and meat traits.
In both trials, no significant differences were observed as concerns growth parameters (final BW, average daily gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio). Only minor differences were detected in carcass traits, with WL carcasses having higher lean meat percentage (51.06 vs 49.86%, p<.05), lower backfat thickness (22.55 vs 25.15 mm, p<.05) but higher drip losses (1.23 vs 1.00%, p<0.05) if compared to C1. EB carcasses had lower loin thickness if compared to C2 (59.20 vs 64.50 mm, p<.05). In both trials, these slight differences did not affect the overall yield in lean cuts, the overall meat water holding capacity or any other quality trait of meat (pH, colour, Warner-Bratzler shearing force). Ham weight losses during dry-curing were not affected by the experimen tal treatment (p>0.05).
Our results show that providing heavy pigs with either poplar logs or an edible block did not affect their growth parameters, overall carcass traits, meat or ham quality; this observation supports the conclusion that such innovative and destructible/ingestible enrichment tools could be used in substitution of the metal chain. Further useful information will be available once the observation of the behavioural video-recordings will be completed, to get more insights on the type of interactions carried out by pigs on each enrichment device
Production and behavioural traits of heavy pigs subjected to two illumination periods
No full textAccording to latest EFSA’s recommendations (2007) on the welfare of fattening pigs, the aim of the present trial was to give a contribution to the still debated problem concerning pig requirements in terms of environmental illumination. Forty hybrid pigs (26 kg BW) were homogeneously allocated into two experimental groups (20 animals per group) each containing four replications of five pigs: group LL (Long Lighting) in which pigs were exposed to a 16-hour/day light period and group SL (Short Lighting) in which, in compliance with minimum legislative standard, pigs were subjected to a 8-hour/day light period. For both groups the light intensity was 40 lux, equivalent to the minimum mandatory level. Pigs were fed on the basis of their metabolicBW up to a maximum of 3.3 kg/pig/day. From 100 to 160 kg BW pigs were monthly videotaped over a 24-hour period in order to assess, by scan sampling, their behaviour. Growth parameters and post-mortem outcomes were submitted to analysis of variance (GLM procedure) with lighting duration as the main effect.For non-parametric data (behavioural traits), Mann-Whitney test (NPAR1WAY procedure) was used. During the first phase of the experiment (0-118 days of trial), animals receiving the longer illumination period (LL group) showed a significant (P<0.01)improvement of average daily weight gain and a reduction (P<0.05) of feed conversion rate, leading to a higher (P<0.05) final body weight. At slaughtering, despite similar lean meat yields (assessed by F-o-M), pigs on LL group produced heavier carcasses and heavier hams (P<0.01). With respect to behavioural traits, pigs receiving the longer illumination period were more calm as demonstrated by a higher percent of lying behavior and by a lower incidence of pseudo-rooting behavior (P<0.01). From a general standpoint it can be concluded that a prolonged photoperiod with a low light intensity could have some positive effects both on production and behavioural traits of pigs
Update on animal welfare perception by Italian consumers: A descriptive survey
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to evaluate if and how the perception of animal welfare by Italian consumers and their purchasing behavior of animal-friendly foods have evolved in recent years. The research was carried out through a survey on a representative sample of Italian consumers (n=969). Responses showed that 69% of consumers declared to pay attention to animal welfare at time of purchasing, and they mostly acquired information about animal welfare through the mass media. In accordance with previous surveys, the categories perceived as having the highest welfare level were fish and dairy cows, whereas the lowest welfare level was attributed to broilers and pigs. Compared to previous surveys, Italian consumers seem to have improved their knowledge about the legislation on animal protection and increased their interest toward animal welfare issues. However, they still find it difficult to identifyThe aim of this study was to evaluate if and how the perception of animal welfare by Italian consumers and their purchasing behavior of animal-friendly foods have evolved in recent years. The research was carried out through a survey on a representative sample of Italian consumers (n=969). Responses showed that 69% of consumers declared to pay attention to animal welfare at time of purchasing, and they mostly acquired information about animal welfare through the mass media. In accordance with previous surveys, the categories perceived as having the highest welfare level were fish and dairy cows, whereas the lowest welfare level was attributed to broilers and pigs. Compared to previous surveys, Italian consumers seem to have improved their knowledge about the legislation on animal protection and increased their interest toward animal welfare issues. However, they still find it difficult to identify animal-friendly labels, together with a lack of knowledge about non-conventional (e.g. extensive and organic) farming systems, together with a lack of knowledge about non-conventional (e.g. extensive and organic) farming system
Gli animali nel sentire comune dei cittadini
No full text1. Gli animali da reddito nel sentire del consumatore europeo
1.1. Produzioni e consumi di prodotti zootecnici in Italia e in Europa
1.2. Percezione innata, cosciente e comune
1.3. Conclusioni
2. Gli animali nel sentire comune dei cittadini nord-americani
2.1. Il mercato delle carni nord-americano
2.2. Consumo di alimenti e benessere animale
2.3. La risposta dell’industria
2.4. Conclusioni
3. La percezione del benessere degli animali da compagnia attraverso l’osservazione del mercato del pet-food e del pet-care in Italia e in Europa
3.1. L’universo dei pets
3.2. Il pet-food
3.3. Il pet-care
3.3. Conclusion
Behavioural traits of undocked heavy pigs receiving different enrichment tools
No full textThe aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of innovative enrichment devices on the behavioural traits of undocked Italian heavy pigs kept on slatted floor in the body weight range 25-160 kg. Two separate and independent trials (n=40 pigs each, 5 pigs/pen) were carried out. In Trial 1, 20 pigs received a hanging metal chain (C1, positive control) as environmental enrichment, and 20 received wood logs (WL) placed inside a specifically designed metal rack allowing snout and biting manipulation. In Trial 2, 20 pigs received a metal chain (C2, positive control) whereas 20 received a specifically formulated vegetable edible block (EB) placed inside the same metal rack. The manipulable materials were always available to animals. Pigs were videotaped every 2 weeks and behaviour was analyzed by the same trained observer (scan-sampling for general behavior and all-occurrences sampling on three selected days for the number and the duration of the interactions with the devices). Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA (using the pig as the experimental unit and the environmental enrichment as the main effect). Kruskal-Wallis test was used for non-parametric data. General behavior was only marginally affected by all enrichment tools, although EB pigs spent less time in (aimless) rooting/exploring the pen floor (13.39 vs. 15.90% of the observed behaviours, P<0.01) than C2. In Trial 1, WL pigs interacted with the enrichment tool less than C1 pigs (0.64 vs. 1.84%, P<0.01). In Trial 2, EB pigs interacted more with the enrichment (2.85 vs. 1.12%, P<0.001) if compared to C2 group. These data were confirmed by in-continuous observation. In conclusion, our results show that edible blocks (EB) but not wood logs (WL) were more attractive for pigs than hanging metal chains (C1 and C2).
The research was funded by Progetto AGER, grant n°2011-0280
Effects of increased space allowance on animal welfare, meat and ham quality of heavy pigs slaughtered at 160Kg
Full text linkSixty barrows (Body Weight-BW- range: 23.9-160 kg) were allotted to two experimental groups (6 pens of 5 pigs each): the control group was kept at a space allowance of 1m2/head; the second group was kept at 1.3m2/head. Behaviour, growth parameters, carcass and meat quality were assessed, as well as fat and cured ham quality. Results showed that pigs raised at 1.3m2/head spent more time laying (particularly in lateral recumbency, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) compared to pigs kept at lower space allowance. They also reduced the aimless exploration of the slatted pen floor (P<0.001) and increased overall expression of other, mainly active, behaviors (e.g., drinking, walking and standing, P<0.01). Pigs raised at 1.3m2/head showed higher final BW (P = 0.02), more favourable Average Daily Gain (ADG) and gain-to-Feed ratio (G:F) both during the last period of the trial (P<0.05 for both parameters) and over the entire trial (P = 0.01 for both parameters). No significant difference was observed between groups for carcass traits and the main meat quality attributes. Subcutaneous fat from green hams had higher α-linolenic acid content (P<0.01) in the group reared at greater space allowance. Green hams from this group lost less weight at trimming (P<0.01) and the resulting cured hams received better sensory evaluations (P<0.05). No difference was observed in fatty acid composition and unsaturation levels of the subcutaneous fat from cured hams. Our data suggest that heavy pigs intended for Parma ham would benefit from the adoption of higher individual floor space allowances, both in terms of animal welfare (increased possibility to rest) and of productive parameters, without having any detrimental effect on the suitability of the thighs for dry-curing or on the quality of the final product
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