#170 - Dr. Antonio Velarde: How can we evaluate animal welfare in our facilities?

In a broad spectrum, we all know what welfare is. However, how can we measure it in our animal facilities? And once we have established what the weak points are, how can we improve them? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Antonio Velarde about the parameters and causes of welfare concerns in swine facilities, the best ways to provide enrichment, and how to minimize stress in order to improve pig welfare.

What you’ll learn:

1. What welfare means
2. Welfare measurements
3. Tail biting and tail docking
4. Stocking densities
5. Enrichment materials
6. Welfare during transportation

Meet the guest: 

Dr. Antonio Velarde holds a D.V.M., an M.S. in Welfare of Laboratory Animals, and a Ph.D. in Animal Production. He is an European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law by the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavior Medicine. Currently, he is head of the Animal Welfare Program at IRTA (Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology, Spain); a member of the Animal Health and Animal Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); the deputy coordinator of the European Reference Center for the Welfare of Poultry – and other small farm animals;