In 2016, planned sampling-based animal welfare inspections were ordered to be carried out on 411 farms with production animals which is about the same as in 2015. A total of 352 farms were inspected, and there were animals on 324 of these at the time of inspection. The reports on non-compliances only concerned farms where there were animals. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was reported on 24 per cent of the farms. This is similar to the previous year. But the inspection results showed distinct differences depending on the species. On one cattle farm, the breaches required urgent measures to be carried out in order to ensure the welfare of the animals.
Cattle
Inspections were carried out on a total of 162 cattle farms. Violations were discovered on 17 per cent of the farms, which is clearly less than in 2015 (23 %). Out of all the violations on cattle farms, 29 % involved calves (44 % in 2015). There were clearly less violations involving calves than in previous years. The most common violations concerning the care of calves have remained the same from year to year and concerned mainly the requirements for space, cleanliness and safety on the holding. In 2016, the violations also related to these, but not one single factor out of the violations observed in previous years stood out. Violations of the watering and feeding requirements of calves were observed on only one farm.
In older cattle (over 6 months) the most common violations concerned the requirement for safety, cleanliness and adequate bedding on the holding. On 4 % of the inspected farms the cattle did not have clean and dry bedding (13 % in 2015). As in previous years, inadequate hoof care was a problem on several farms (on 4 % of the inspected farms which is a little less than in 2015). Violations of the watering and feeding requirements were only observed sporadically. As in the previous year, on only two farms the requirement for cows and heifers that were kept tied up to have access to pasture or an exercise yard was neglected. The number of violations of the requirement to let the animals out to pasture has therefore been reduced to one third since 2014. As with calves, older cattle were also often kept on premises with reported neglect of pest control. Most of the violations observed with both calves and adult cattle were related to factors that directly affected the welfare of the animals, as the proportion of deficient recordkeeping was 5 % of all non-compliances.
Pigs
A total of 36 pig farms were inspected. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was discovered on 28 per cent of the inspected farms, which is more than the year before (20 %). The number of breaches per farm had also increased from the previous year (1.9 à 3.2).
Deficiencies were discovered regarding lack of stimulating materials (5/36). Other individual breaches were related to the cleanliness and lighting of the premises and to the feeding of pigs kept in groups on the holding. Inadequate recordkeeping has been common for many years, but was not observed on a single farm.
Laying hens
A total of 19 poultry farms were inspected and deficiencies were observed on 26 % of them. No negligence was found in the previous year, but on the other hand, relatively few poultry farms were inspected that year. There were on average 1.4 breaches per farm. The violations involved the requirements for perches, nests and litter and the requirements for space.
Broilers
No breaches were found on the five inspected broiler farms.
Fur animals
A total of 38 fur farms were inspected, and shortcomings were found on 66 % of these. The deficiencies were on average 2.3 per farm, which is less than the previous year (3.8). Similarly to the previous year, the most common breaches were related to a lack of suitable chewing and enrichment material, the condition of the bottom mesh of the cages and the condition and safety of the buildings and appliances of the holding. During the four previous years, breaches had been found on 25 % to 54 % of the inspected fur farms. The observed breaches have remained pretty much the same.
Sheep and goats
The share of breaches on sheep farms remained at the same level as the previous year. Breaches were found on 18 % of the 56 inspected sheep farms. There were on average 2.7 breaches per farm. The breaches mainly related to the requirements for a yard, the cleanliness of the holding and the shearing of the sheep. Inadequate recordkeeping was observed on two farms. On the other hand, out of 9 inspected goat farms no breaches were noted.