Animals

using, whenever possible, a risk assessment (RA). In addition, one of the tasks of the Authority is to

promote and coordinate the development of uniform RA methodologies in the above-mentioned fields.

The Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel of EFSA has adopted 36 Scientific Opinions on

Animal Welfare between 2004 and 2010, dealing with welfare of calves, fattening pigs, sows and

boars, tail biting, seals, fish and dairy cows (EFSA, 2006a; 2007a,b,c,d; 2008a; 2009). Different

approaches have been followed for these scientific opinions.

An EFSA Scientific Colloquium on “Principles of Risk Assessment of Food Producing Animals” was

held in Parma in 2005 (EFSA, 20065

) and, subsequently, an EFSA workshop on “Risk Assessment

Methodology in Animal Welfare” was held in Vienna in 2007. One of the main conclusions was that

no specific standardised methodology exists in the field of risk assessment for animal welfare. The

beneficial effects of some factors for animal health and for animal welfare in general were also

discussed; however, only the assessment of risks was considered in detail. While specific guidelines

have been published on animal diseases or chemical substances by the World Organisation for Animal

Health (OIE, 2004 a,b) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC, 2002) respectively, there are

currently no specific international guidelines on risk assessment for animal welfare.

A report on basic information for the development of guidelines on risk assessment for animal welfare

was produced by the “Italian Reference Centre for Animal Welfare” (EFSA, 2007). The report

includes a definition of risk assessment, a description of existing models, reviews the definition of

animal welfare and different approaches for its evaluation. The report lists the main issues to be

considered in the guidelines. These issues have been divided in the following three categories: i)

slaughter, ii) transport, and iii) housing and management.

A “Framework for EFSA AHAW Risk Assessment” was produced (EFSA, 20086

) but a requirement

for specific guidelines and standardised working methodology for risk assessment, including the

assessment of beneficial effects of some factors applied to animal welfare has been clearly identified.

Against this background, EFSA launched a self-mandate in 2007 to develop guidance on risk

assessment for animal welfare.

TERMS OF REFERENCE AS PROVIDED BY EFSA

The original terms of references for the self-mandate were amended in 2009, and were to define a

comprehensive and harmonised methodology to evaluate risks and benefits in animal welfare, taking

into consideration the various procedures, management and housing systems and the different animal

welfare issues, with reference to the methodologies followed in the previous EFSA Scientific Opinions

on various species.

The defined methodology for assessing risks and benefits in animal welfare should take into account

and adapt current risk assessment methodologies, for example those for animal disease and food

safety, and also the complex range of measurable welfare outcomes.

The guidance document should define concisely the generic approach for working groups, while

addressing specific areas of assessment of risks and benefits in animal welfare

...