In 2017, planned sampling-based animal welfare inspections were ordered to be carried out on 405 farms with production animals which is at the same level as in 2016. Cattle farms were the main emphasis of the inspections. A total of 377 farms were inspected, and there were animals on 360 of these at the time of inspection. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was reported on 17 per cent of the farms, which is clearly less than the previous year. But the inspection results showed distinct differences depending on the species. The analysis of observed deficiencies and the results charts per animal species only included the controls that were finished by 10.4.2018 (352 inspections). Out of the finished inspections, breaches were noted in 15 % (53/352).
Cattle
Inspections were carried out on a total of 292 cattle farms. Violations were discovered on 15 per cent of the farms, which is clearly less than in 2016 (17 %). Out of all the violations observed on cattle farms, 32 % involved calves (29 % in 2016). The most common violations concerning calves have remained the same from year to year and concerned mainly the requirements for space, cleanliness and safety of the holding. Also in 2017 the breaches related mainly to the cleanliness and safety of the holding. On the other hand, hardly any breaches of the space requirements were observed. Violations were observed on many farms as to the safety of the yard and keeping the animals dry as well as violations related to the watering of the calves.
In older cattle (over 6 months) the most common violations concerned safety, cleanliness and adequate bedding on the holding. On 5 % of the inspected farms the cattle did not have clean and dry bedding (4 % in 2016). On 11 farms there were deficiencies as to the safety of the yard and in keeping the animals dry, and on six farms there was not sufficient protection from the weather in the yard and on the pasture. Deficiencies were noted as to both hoof care and the care of sick and injured cattle on 2 % of the farms (4 % in 2016). Clearly more deficiencies than in 2016 were observed as to feeding and watering requirements: on 9 farms the cattle did not have sufficient access to water daily and on 5 farms the cattle had not received a sufficient amount of suitable feed. On three farms the requirements for cows and heifers that were kept tied up to have access to pasture or an exercise yard were neglected. Five farms were not sufficiently staffed. There were several severe violations affecting the welfare of the animals on all of these farms. 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 only 2 % of all violations.
Pigs
A total of 20 pig farms were inspected. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was discovered on 15 per cent of the inspected farms, which is less than the year before (28 %). The number of breaches per farm had increased from the previous year (3.2 à 5).
Most of the violations were related to the cleanliness, safety and condition of the premises. A lack of enrichment materials was discovered on only one farm. Other individual violations were related to for example the requirements for space, housing conditions and caring for the welfare of the animals. Inadequate recordkeeping has been common over many years, but was not observed on a single farm.
Laying hens and broilers
No deficiencies were found on the farms (3 farms) that kept laying hens. In the previous year, breaches were found on 28 per cent of the inspected farms (19 farms). On the broiler farms (2 farms) no breaches were found.
Fur animals
Deficiencies were discovered on 23 % of the fur farms, which is clearly less than for several previous years. The breaches were on average 3.2 per farm, which is more than the previous year (2.3). The most common breaches were related to the condition of the base or floor and that of the bottom mesh of the cages and the condition and safety of the buildings and appliances of the holding. Sick and injured fur animals had not always received appropriate care. A lack of suitable chewing and enrichment material had been common in previous years, but was now observed on only one farm.
Sheep
The share of breaches on sheep farms had dropped since the previous year (18 %). Only on one farm (8 %), 4 different breaches were observed.