In 2020, planned sampling-based animal welfare inspections were ordered to be carried out on 341 farms with production animals, which is about a fifth less than in 2019. The number of farms to be inspected had to be reduced due to the corona pandemic. 314 farms were inspected, of which 283 had animals present at the time of the inspection. Non-compliance with animal welfare legislation was found on 27% of the farms which is slightly less than in the previous year. The proportion of shortcomings decreased somewhat in almost all species inspected. None of the fur farms inspected had any non-compliances. The inspections were successfully targeted at risk farms.
Cattle
A total of 200 of the cattle farms inspected had animals. Non-compliance was observed on 30% of the farms, which is slightly less than in 2019 (34%). 32 % of all non-compliances in cattle farms involved calves (30% in 2019). The most common violations concerning the care of calves have remained the same from year to year and involved mainly the requirements for cleanliness and safety as well as the requirements for space on the holding. In 2020, non-compliance related to the cleanliness of the animals and the holdings was especially an issue.
No particular violations stood out in older cattle (over six months of age). The cleanliness and disinfection of facilities and equipment were not sufficiently taken care of on 22 farms (11%). On 16% of the inspected farms (31 farms), the cattle did not have clean and dry bedding. On 12% of the farms, animal health, general welfare and cleanliness were not well taken care of, and about 5% of farms had shortcomings related to inadequate hoof care. Five farms did not have enough staff. Most of the violations observed with both calves and adult cattle were directly related to factors that affected the welfare of the animals, as the share of deficient record keeping was 4% of all violations similarly to the year before.
Sheep and goats
In sheep farms (49 farms), the proportion of non-compliance (20 à 16%) and the number of non-compliances per holding (3.7 à 2.9) decreased from the previous year. The most common violations found related directly to the requirements for animal welfare. Violations related to the cleanliness of the holding and the condition and safety of the buildings and equipment at the farm were found ten times. Record keeping shortcomings accounted for 9 % of all violations.
The inspected goat farm had no shortcomings.
Fur animals
None of the fur farms that had animals at the time of inspection (7) were found to have any non-compliances. This is the first time in the history of reporting as it currently is done, as in the past seven years 25% ‑ 66% of the inspected fur farms have had shortcomings. In 2020, the farms were selected randomly and due to the corona pandemic, only a small number of farms was inspected. Due to the corona risk, especially visiting mink farms was avoided.
Pigs
A total of 20 pig farms were inspected. Non-compliance with the animal welfare regulations was discovered on 25% of the inspected farms which is clearly less than the year before (41%). On the other hand, the number of non-compliances per farm (7.8) almost tripled from the previous year (2.7).
Many of the violations were related to the cleanliness of the premises or lack of bedding (14 farms). In addition, shortcomings in the provision of enrichment material were observed on five farms. Two farms were assessed to not have sufficiently qualified staff. Record keeping shortcomings that have been common during past years were found in only one holding.
Broilers
Two (33%) broiler farms out of the inspected six were reported to have shortcomings.