The Organic Animal Health and Welfare Compendium

Stephen RoderickOrganic Studies Centre Duchy College, Cornwall

January 7th 2009

Defra Project OF0352

An Electronic Compendium of Existing Knowledge on Animal Health and Welfare Relevant to Organic Livestock Production

Objectives• Conduct literature review of all research material

relevant to the health and welfare of organic livestock and to summarise this as information suitable for use by farmers, organic advisors, veterinarians and policy makers.

• Incorporate the summarised material into the existing animal health and welfare compendium (Project OF 0162).

• Improve the presentation, accessibility and ease of use of the original compendium

Method

• Literature & web search relevant to organic livestock production and practical application.

• Review of original compendium to identify improvements and updating requirements

• Synthesis of knowledge into an advisory format.

• Development of a web-site, www.organicvet.co.uk

• Expert peer review

The new version at :www.organicvet.co.uk

• New design• EU livestock standards• Veterinary management section• Generic species health and welfare sections

– Standards, feeding, breeding, rearing, behaviour, references

• Significant disease updates.– e.g. Mastitis, internal parasites, feather pecking

• More web-links e.g– NADIS factsheets, – Defra research projects– SAFO, NAHWOA– Standards– full academic papers (if available)

Features• 45 cattle, 44 sheep, 32 poultry & 27 pig diseases and

conditions• Approx 1000 pages• Fully referenced text (>2500 refs and links) • Comprehensive reference list• Links to Defra-funded organic and relevant research

projects• Links to organic and health and welfare legislation• Easily accessible disease index• Cross-referencing between sections and diseases

Structure of Compendium

Home Page

Veterinary Management Health and Welfare Disease

Management

•Introduction•Organic Standards•Organic Approach

•Biosecurity•Zoonoses

•Use of Medicines•Vaccinations•Homeopathy

•Alternative Therapies•References

Divided into:CattleSheepPigs

Poultry

StandardsProduction

WelfareBehaviourHousingFeedingBreeding

References

Divided into:CattleSheepPigs

Poultry

The ConditionControl and Preventiuon

TreatmentGood Practice

WelfareConversionReferences