Five freedoms explained

The Five Freedoms outline five aspects of animal welfare. They were developed in response to a 1965 UK Government report on livestock husbandry, and were formalised in 1979 press statement by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. They have been adopted internationally and endorsed by professional groups including veterinarians,[1] and organisations including the World Organisation for Animal Health,[2] the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,[3] and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.[4]

Current compact

The five freedoms as currently expressed are:[5]

  1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
  2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
  3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
  4. Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind
  5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

History

In 1965, the UK government commissioned an investigation, led by Professor Roger Brambell, into the welfare of intensively farmed animals, partly in response to concerns raised in Ruth Harrison's 1964 book, Animal Machines. The Brambell Report stated "An animal should at least have sufficient freedom of movement to be able without difficulty, to turn round, groom Itself, get up, lie down and stretch its limbs". This short recommendation became known as Brambell's Five Freedoms.

As a result of the report, the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee was created to monitor the livestock production sector. In July 1979, this was replaced by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, and by the end of that year, the five freedoms had been codified into the recognisable list format.[6]

Some countries, such as New Zealand, have proposed going further than the five freedoms to "five domains" to include a focus on the mental health of the animal following New Zealand becoming the fifth country to legally recognize animal sentience in 2015.[7] As of 2021, animal sentience was also recognized in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and all EU countries.[8]

Companies and countries following the five freedoms frequently utilize their animal welfare standards as a competitive advantage. RSPCA Assured food labeling scheme (formerly Freedom Food) in the United Kingdom is based on the five freedoms.[9] [10] Major New Zealand exporters like Silver Fern Farms and Ziwi Pets highlight their adherence to the five freedoms in their marketing.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Federation of Veterinarians of Europe. Code of Good Veterinary Practice . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065817/http://www.fve.org/news/publications/pdf/gvp.pdf. 2016-03-04.
  2. Web site: Introduction to the recommendations for animal welfare. World Organisation for Animal Health. 2012-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20110805111504/http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahc/2010/en_chapitre_1.7.1.htm. 2011-08-05.
  3. Web site: RSPCA. Animal welfare. Roman law. worldwide. 2012-10-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235030/http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232720717749&mode=prd. 2016-03-03.
  4. Web site: ASPCA. ASPCA: Five Freedoms. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 2 October 2015. 6 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151006102040/http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/shelter-health-animal-care/five-freedoms.
  5. Web site: Five Freedoms . usurped . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121007104210/http:/www.fawc.org.uk/freedoms.htm . 2012-10-07 . Farm Animal Welfare Council / Farm Animal Welfare Committee.
  6. Web site: Farm Animal Welfare Council . 1979-12-05 . Press Statement . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121007104210/http://www.fawc.org.uk/pdf/fivefreedoms1979.pdf . 2012-10-07 .
  7. Web site: Learn more: Five Freedoms vs Five Domains • SPCA New Zealand - Animal Welfare Certified . 2024-10-07 . www.spcacertified.nz.
  8. Web site: Carpendale . Max . 2022-12-09 . Does Sentience Legislation help animals? . 2024-10-07 . Animal Ask . en.
  9. Book: Lawrence . Geoffrey . Higgins . Vaughan . 2007 . Agricultural Governance: Globalization and the New Politics of Regulation . Taylor & Francis . 178–180 . 978-1134262823.
  10. Book: Schroder, William R.. 2012 . Government and the Food Industry: Economic and Political Effects of Conflict and Co-Operation . Springer . 213 . 978-1461562214.
  11. Web site: Our Chain of Care Silver Fern Farms . 2024-10-16 . silverfernfarms.com.
  12. Web site: Polyn . Glenn . 2022-11-01 . Best of the Best: Pet Age Introduces 2022 Power 50 List . 2024-10-16 . www.petage.com . en-US.

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