AGRI302050 Animal protection in livestock husbandry

Type
Lecture and seminar
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Hintze, Sara , Leeb, Christine
Organisation
Livestock Sciences
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

Introduction:
- What is animal welfare? Science – ethics – legislation
- Which factors influence our actions?
Concepts and practical examples:
- Animal welfare science
- Animal welfare legislation
- Animal ethics
Discussion with an external expert
Previous knowledge expected

none
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Overall objective: Preparation for responsible decision-making in students’ academic and professional careers with regard to animal welfare-related issues.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1) Define the term “animal welfare” and explain how different disciplines, such as science, ethics, and legislation, influence human actions aimed at protecting animals.

2) Describe and explain how animal welfare can be assessed based on animals’ biological functioning, their natural behaviour, and their emotions.

3) Describe and explain what ethics is, which approaches to animal ethics exist (e.g., consequentialist and principle-based ethics, including the different approaches within principle-based ethics such as contractualism, relational ethics, animal rights, and respect for nature), and classify the treatment of animals within environmental ethical principles.

4) Summarise the key provisions of the most important European animal welfare laws, regulations, and directives (farm animal welfare, transport, slaughter) and explain how these have been implemented in Austrian legislation (e.g., the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz, TSchG), 1. and 2. Tierhalteverordnung). Students will also be able to describe voluntary guidelines and standards (e.g., the EU Organic Regulation and animal welfare labels).

5) Propose implementations that could improve animal welfare. Research and analyse the relevant animal welfare science literature, ethical concepts, and legal frameworks relating to this proposal. Integrate these three areas and present and justify the resulting conclusion, whether the implemenations should be rejected or supported.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.