Research

This is the third work programme of the European Union Reference Centre for Animal Welfare-Ruminants & Equines which covers the period 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2027. The role of the Reference Centres for Animal Welfare is closely connected with the enforcement of EU animal welfare rules by developing and disseminating knowledge and tools to assist National Competent Authorities (CAs) in performing better official controls. The main target groups are therefore CAs, Official Inspectors and Policy Workers and their ‘support bodies’ (SBs). The Centres also help stakeholders understand the rules, how to comply with these rules as well as the possible control methods used by CAs. Thus, the Centres’ role is strategic and longer term, and they are not acting as an ‘emergency service’. The activities of EURCAW Ruminants&Equines consider the welfare of ruminants and equines and concerns the following animals: - Ruminants, meaning domestic animals of the family Bovidae such as bovine (including Bubalus and Bison species), ovine and caprine, And other farmed ruminant species such as deer (e.g. Cervus elaphus); - Equines, meaning domestic species of the Equidae family such as horses (Equus caballus), donkeys (Equus asinus) and their crossings. The Centre’s focus is on production animals as well as animals kept for scientific purposes and for leisure. The Centre addresses the entire life cycle including housing and management, transport, slaughter and killing (e.g. for disease control purposes). The work is implemented under five coherent activities: 1. Coordinated assistance 2. Animal welfare indicators, methods for the assessment and methods of improvement 3. Scientific and technical studies 4. Training courses 5. Dissemination research findings and innovations The work is carried out in close collaboration with EURCAW Pigs, EURCAW Poultry&SFA and EURCAW Aqua and with the existing National Reference Centres (NRCs).