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The Mansholt model has become obsolete. However, we still don't have a clear idea of the future of livestock farming. One thing is certain, though: animal welfare is becoming increasingly important. So what role should veterinarians play in shaping tomorrow's livestock farming industry? We discuss the issue with , poultry veterinarian at Avivet, professor of animal welfare Bas Rodenburg and professor of animal behaviour Saskia Arndt.

Will the animal-friendly livestock farming of the future be large-scale and high-tech, or will we start keeping animals on a smaller scale in more natural surroundings?

Bas Rodenburg: ‘Crucially, we're starting to put animal welfare first. If we want to do right by animals, we'll have to provide a richer environment. That could take the form of a very natural setting, but could probably also be achieved in a large pigsty. The Minister has asked us to develop a vision on humane livestock farming in collaboration with the Council on Animal Affairs. Which criteria does an environment have to meet in order to ensure animal health and wellbeing? We're also exploring social and ethical aspects: what can and can't we do with animals? Do we adjust animals to their environment, or adjust the environment to them?’

If the focus is on animal welfare, will that require more specialised veterinarians?

Vera Bavinck: ‘Things are actually already heading in that direction. There are still all-round vets in the Netherlands, but we're seeing a lot more specialisation. That's also borne out by the day-to-day practice: we're getting requests from large farms that already have a veterinarian for their cows, but would rather have a separate specialist for their laying hens. Here at Avivet, we specialise in laying hens – especially organic hens – and concepts such as Rondeel. It's all very different from Australia, where I started my career. Over there, distances are so great that you have to be all-round by definition and even end up treating people from time to time.’

You obviously want to avoid gassing day-old chicks if you can. But what are the welfare risks in rearing these animals?

So that means we won't be tampering with animals in the future? No more beak trimming or breeding for behavioural traits?

Saskia Arndt: ‘I'm not so sure about that. Animal farming always involves compromises between human and animal needs. However, we do need to stop performing mutilating procedures that adversely affect animal welfare. If you want to ensure animal welfare, you'll need to adapt their environment and your management practices. Breeding for certain characteristics can also actually contribute to animal welfare.’ Bavinck: ‘Still, that does have its limitations. You don't want to end up creating zombie chickens.’ Arndt: ‘Absolutely not. But people have been breeding animals for high productivity and less aggressive behaviour ever since we started keeping them. How are you supposed to define “natural” or “normal” behaviour if the original wild versions of some animals, such as the aurochs, are now extinct? There is no such thing as the archetypal cow or pig: in addition to the differences between breeds, each animal is also a unique individual. If we aim to improve animal accommodations and management, we'll need to do more fundamental research on animal welfare and apply the findings in practice.’

How do we determine the conditions we want to keep animals in? 

Arndt: ‘If we look far enough into the future, we may well end up largely switching to cultured meat and a plant-based diet. We're not there yet, though. We will continue to keep animals for many years to come, so society has to answer the question: under what conditions can we justify that? Unfortunately, the public debate in the Netherlands has become very polarised – both in general and on this subject. Still, we'll have to move away from that kind of black-and-white thinking and work together to find solutions that are acceptable to both people (farmers, veterinarians, consumers) and animals.’

Bavinck: ‘That polarized way of thinking is also common in the field. When I started working in the poultry industry, I was surprised by my fellow vets' sceptical attitude towards animal welfare organisations. The idea of working in the intensive poultry farming sector while being a member of an organisation like Caring Vets isn't necessarily common or widely accepted. However, I do think a large number of veterinary students agree with Caring Vets' positions. You don't really get to experience all the facets of livestock farming until you've graduated and started working. I've noticed that many vets are quick to adopt entrenched industry positions. Those beliefs are often based on the economic model of modern livestock farming, which is a shame: veterinarians are supposed to help farmers with long-term issues, not just acute veterinary problems: how is society (and the industry) evolving; what could we do differently or better?’

There is no such thing as the archetypal cow or pig.

What sorts of challenges do you expect veterinarians in the poultry industry will come up against?

Bavinck: ‘There's a real lack of transparency about the industry's problems. We'll need to gather more data on animal wellbeing if we aim to effectively analyse the problems and develop solutions. Livestock farmers and their vets are reluctant to provide that kind of openness because they're afraid of negative reactions and new demands from politicians. That's certainly understandable: livestock farmers seem to be the target of growing criticism, and the profit margins are very small.’
Bavinck continues: ‘When I first started working as a poultry vet, I was shocked by the high number of sternum fractures. I came from mixed practice and had never heard anyone say: “Oh, we get fractures all the time, that's just how it is.” There was no data on how often or when the fractures occurred. That was unacceptable to me, so I started keeping track of the frequency, the affected flocks and the relevant circumstances. It turned out to be the start of the KipKompas wellbeing measurement tool. We use the tool to test various criteria in a flock of laying hens, such as leg lesions, breastbone defects and plumage. Feather pecking can be the result of an intestinal disorder, but it can also be related to the amount of sunlight in the shed. We can use the insights we gain from KipKompas to create the best possible conditions for a healthy flock of chickens. That benefits the animals, but it also benefits the farmers: chickens with healthy plumage don't need extra feed to keep themselves warm and there is less wastage.’

Exposing problems is obviously a sensitive issue.

Rodenburg: ‘Smart systems that use cameras and sensors to combine production and welfare data are also very valuable. They make it much easier for vets to provide farmers with effective advice. Still, exposing problems is obviously a sensitive issue. How do you make sure your client won't be fined because of the data you've collected?’
Bavinck: ‘That's a very relevant issue. Animal welfare is a permanent commitment: you need to keep working on it and no situation is ever 100% right or wrong. I think we can overcome that fear of openness if vets cooperate more closely with welfare organisations such as the Animal Protection Society, or concepts based around animal welfare standards. Collecting and analysing data on a larger scale could also be helpful. If you integrate data at a higher level, you can create openness without scapegoating any individual farmers.’ 

Which new concepts look promising to you?

Bavinck: ‘I think the dual-purpose chicken – which provides both eggs and meat – offers an interesting model for the future. That might seem old-fashioned, but we're talking about really cutting-edge genetics here. It strikes me that our professional group is hardly involved in the development of new animal welfare concepts. Take hatchlings, for example; you obviously want to avoid gassing day-old chicks if you can. But what are the welfare risks in rearing these animals? What are the most optimal types of environments and feeds? Veterinarians should be assessing those aspects with feed industry representatives, breeding organisations and other experts before any concepts are rolled out across the industry. The same thing applies to upright catching, whereby staff hold the chicken upright under its breast rather than grabbing it by its feet.’

Rodenburg: ‘Researchers should also be more closely involved in these developments. New concepts or criteria for consumer labels often don't have any scientific basis.’

Our profession can make an important contribution to animal-friendly livestock farming.

So how should the Veterinary Medicine programme respond to these developments?

Rodenburg: ‘We'll have to prepare our students for a complex future, in which they'll be working with farmers, other experts and the wide range of industry service providers. Our partnership with Wageningen ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� & Research and Eindhoven ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� of Technology offers a lot of potential: we can team up students to work on an animal welfare issue and challenge them to develop solutions based on their veterinary, zootechnical and technological expertise. That will help them to learn each other's language and appreciate each other's knowledge.’

Bavinck: ‘I'd like to see the programme devote more attention to that complexity and the veterinarian's role in the bigger picture. Animal welfare is a complex and uncertain issue. That means it's challenging to work on, but it's also fun. Our profession can make an important contribution to animal-friendly livestock farming. At the end of the day, though, our job will always revolve around making and keeping animals healthy.’

This is an article from Vetscience issue 11 (in Dutch).