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The world's high meat consumption is one of the main causes of global warming, it increases the risk of cancer and heart diseases, and causes a lot of suffering for animals. In December 2017, SVT showed the TV program Köttets lustar, which highlighted the different aspects of meat consumption. The program put a lot focus on how animals are affected by the meat industry, and the question of whether it is ethical to eat meat. The program reached great attention in mainstream media and on social media.   This study investigated the different discourses in the question of meat consumption in Köttets lustar, how they were framed by SVT, and the struggle between the discourses in the debate that the programme generated on SVT’s Facebook page. The aim was to see how the framing affected the debate on Facebook. The used method was Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis. In the analysis of the programme, six discourses were found: the animal rights discourse, the discourse about veganism as a sect, the masculine discourse, the public health discourse, the climate discourse and the economic discourse. In the debate on Facebook, the struggle was primarily conducted between the animal rights discourse and the economic discourse.   The animal rights discourse advocated that we should not consume meat at all, and used arguments from the climate discourse and the public health discourse to strengthen its thesis, while all the other discourses advocated continued meat consumption. The main problem with meat consumption was that we eat too much meat, and not the ethical question. The economic discourse - which emphasizes the consumer's responsibility to choose the "right Swedish meat" in a fair amount that takes better account of climate, animals, health and the environment, was dominant. The economic discourse also increased its dominance by placing greater emphasis on parts of the animal rights aspect, which makes it more difficult for the animal rights discourse to enhance its power.

Being a small landlocked country located in Eastern Himalaya ranges, makes it difficult for Bhutan to secure and sustain its national food security. Thus, Bhutan highly depends on the import of food from neighboring countries. This paper aims to improve the food security in Bhutan by giving a specific focus on the egg value-chain which starts from the import of parent stocks until the consumption within the country. Methods to identify potential constraints within the value-chain and provision of possible solutions used in this paper are a combination of literature reviews, qualitative studies (interview), and personal experience/communication of the author, who had been working with the Department of Livestock in Bhutan. The results of the study indicate that animal welfare, basic farm management, and consumer education are the top three areas that all stakeholders, especially government agents, should work with interdisciplinary in order to strengthen the overall value-chain. Challenges and room for improvement in animal welfare can be found from the beginning of the value-chain, the transporting of layer Day Old Chicks (DOCs). Lack of knowledge and skills for basic farm management which includes farm data recording, egg grading, and egg labeling, are issues found in the middle of the value-chain. Lastly, in the very end of the value-chain, more education should be given to consumers regarding the health benefits and nutritional value of eggs as to alleviate the problem of low egg consumption per capita relative to other developed nations. Possible solutions provided in this paper on animal welfare standard are suggested by the international projects and organizations namely, European Animal Welfare Platform and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. For basic farm management, the government should be the one who encourages and provides skills using effective communication tools as well as law enforcement in order to improve the egg quality. At the same time, consumers should be stimulated to demand higher quality as this will be a driving force for future improvement and create higher liquidity in the market.

O presente projeto levantou uma discussão a respeito das condições psicológicas, fisiológicas e éticas pelas quais passam os cães de trabalho da Polícia Militar, com foco em investigar se a rotina de trabalho leva a condições de estresse e a influência desses fatores no desempenho reprodutivo e na qualidade de vida dos animais. O estudo foi realizado no Canil da Polícia Militar de Campinas, com a participação de oito cães machos de quatro diferentes raças (2 Pastor Alemão, 2 Belga Malinois, 2 Dobermann e 2 Rotwailler), sendo divididos em dois períodos: Período trabalho - animais que estavam em treinamento e trabalho e Período controle - animais que estavam no dia de descanso. Foram colhidas amostras de saliva para a dosagem de cortisol no método de eletroquimioluminescência, fez-se a observação comportamental através da elaboração e analise de um etograma de trabalho e houve a coleta e análise de sêmen. Os resultados mostraram concentrações médias de cortisol salivar no Período Controle de 0,361 à 0,438µg/dl e no Período trabalho 0,312 à 0,592 µg/dl, sendo os maiores valores encontrados após o retorno do trabalho. Nas avaliações de comportamento observamos que na maior parte do período, os animais apresentaram-se em repouso e poucos comportamentos estereotipados foram destacados e as raças Pastor Alemão, Belga Malinois e Dobermann apresentaram parâmetros seminais desejáveis. A raça Rotwailler apresentou cortisol elevado, comportamentos estereotipados e maior taxa de anormalidades espermáticas, portanto acreditamos que não seja a raça mais indicada para os trabalhos desenvolvidos pelas polícias Nosso estudo indica que os cães de trabalho avaliados adaptados ao ambiente desde filhote, apresentam boa capacidade de adaptação ao ambiente de confinamento rotina de trabalho e treinamento, uma vez que não sofrem distresse. / This project raised a discussion about the psychological and ethical conditions under which pass the military working dogs, on investigating whether routine work leads to stress conditions and the influence of these factors on reproductive performance and quality of animals life. The study was conducted at military police Kennel in Campinas, using 8 male dogs of 4 different races (2 German Shepherd, 2 Belgian Malinois, 2 Dobermann and 2 Rotwailler), divided into two periods: Period work - animals that were in training and work and control period - animals that were in day off. Saliva samples were collected for cortisol measurement in eletroquimioluminecence method, behavioral observation through the preparation and analysis of a ethogram and collection and analysis semen. Our results showed average concentrations of salivary cortisol in the control period of 0.361 to 0.438 and 0.312 to 0.592 working period, with the highest values found after returning from work. In behavioral assessments we observed that in most of the period, the animals showed up at rest and few stereotyped behaviors were highlighted and. The breeds German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dobermann showed desirable semen parameters, which did not occur in Rotwailler. The Rotwailler breed had high cortisol, stereotyped behaviors and higher rate of sperm abnormalities, so we believe that it is not the most suitable breed for the military working dog. Our study indicates that the assessed working dogs adapted to the environment as a puppy, show good ability to adaptation to environmental containment routine work and training, since it does not suffer distress.

A manheimiose pneumônica bovina (MPB) gera significativa lesividade quando predomina no Complexo Doença Respiratória Bovina. Visto isso, considera-se importante o estudo do diagnóstico precoce para melhor estadiamento e tratamento da doença. As concentrações plasmáticas e séricas das proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) têm sido adotadas na medicina veterinária como marcadores precoces de doenças inflamatórias e algumas vezes, relacionadas ao bem-estar animal. O presente estudo objetivou revisar o painel inflamatório da MPB; investigar a contribuição que o emprego da flunixina meglumina no tratamento de bovinos manifestando MPB; e investigar marcadores inflamatórios para o diagnóstico precoce da doença e evolução do tratamento, empregando referências de bem estar animal. Para isto foram utilizados 12 bezerros da raça holandesa com seis meses de idade, hígidos e divididos em dois grupos experimentais, o primeiro tratado com antimicrobiano e o segundo com antimicrobiano e anti-inflamatório. Os animais foram submetidos à inoculação intratraqueal de M. haemolytica e tiveram suas amostras de lavado broncoalveolar e de sangue colhidas em quatro momentos, onde foram realizados exame clínico, coleta de sangue e lavado broncoalveolar para realização de hemograma, determinação das proteínas de fase aguda, análise de cortisol e cortisona. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando programa SAS 9.3 para Windows. Os dados foram testados quanto à normalidade pelo teste de Shapiko Wilk, considerando significância de 5%. Foi efetuada a análise de variância simples com comparação entre médias por meio do teste de LSD, sendo considerado significante p<0.05. O resultados mostraram que a MPB é uma doença de grande importância no cenário mundial; não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas entre os marcadores precoces entre os grupos com ou sem anti-inflamatório, porém o uso concomitante com o antimicrobiano promoveu incremento do bem estar. / The bovine pneumonic mannheimiosis (MPB) generates significant lesivity when it predominates in the Complex Bovine Respiratory Disease. Thus being important the study of the previous diagnosis for better understanding and treatment of the disease. As plasma and serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (PFA) have been adopted in veterinary medicine as early markers of inflammatory diseases and sometimes related to animal welfare. The aim of the study was review the inflammatory panel of MPB; to investigate a contribution that the use of flunixin meglumina without treatment of bovines manifesting MPB; and to investigate inflammatory markers for the previous diagnosis of the disease and treatment evolution, using references of animal welfare. Twelve six-month-old, healthy and divided into two experimental groups, the first treated with antimicrobial and the second with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory were used in this study. The animals were submitted to intratracheal inoculation of M. haemolytica and had their bronchoalveolar lavage and blood samples collected at four moments, where clinical examination, blood collection and bronchoalveolar lavage were carried out to perform hemogram, determination of the acute phase proteins, analysis of cortisol and cortisone. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.3 software for Windows. The data were tested for normality by the Shapiko Wilk test, considering a significance of 5%. The analysis of simple variance was performed with a comparison of means by means of the LSD test, being considered significant p <0.05. The results showed that MPB is a disease of great importance in the world scenario; no statistical differences were found between the early markers between the groups with or without anti-inflammatory, but the concomitant use with the antimicrobial promoted an increase in animal welfare.

Animals in distress can experience an attenuation of their stress response if provided companionship. This thesis studied the social support phenomenon in 72 nine-week old juvenile pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) of the crossbreed Yorkshire/Hampshire. Pigs were placed either alone or with a familiar or an unfamiliar age-matched conspecific of the opposite sex in a stunning box. Half of the groups were exposed to an air-filled foam inside of the box and the other half was exposed to an empty box. All pigs underwent an individual behaviour assessment at eight-weeks of age for a personality evaluation. The results of this thesis indicate that pigs were startled by the foam exposure as suggested by changes in activity, escape attempts and vocalisations. Indications of social buffering were found with regards to performance of escape attempts, altered activity patterns and engagement in affiliative social behaviours. Differences were observed in the social behaviour of familiar and unfamiliar pig pairs, suggesting that familiarity between pigs should be preferred from a welfare perspective. Correlations between possible personality traits and the pigs’ behaviour in the foam box study can be understood within the coping style framework. The results suggest that pigs show variation in their need for social support and that personality could have been a bias in interpreting the pigs’ behavioural response to the foam stunning situation. This thesis provide support that the welfare of pigs during foam stunning may be improved if pigs are stunned in groups of familiar individuals.

Animal welfare has long been a subject under debate. Since animals are unable to voice concerns about their living standards it is of interest to find other ways to secure their wellbeing. A new measurement has been introduced where animals’ own judgement can act as an indicator for their emotional state and welfare. This study summarizes key elements from previous literature and research in order to explain the connection between welfare and judgement bias. Emotions have been defined as either an observable reaction to a stimulus or a subjective conscious experience of the stimulus. The second has been difficult to assess in animals since they cannot vocalise their own interpretations, hence emotions in animals are assessed based on the first definition. The study of animal welfare is in short the study of animal’s judgement of the world, which in turn indicate how animals feel. Cognitive judgement bias has been defined as whether an animal assess an ambiguous stimulus as negative or positive, a common method used to demonstrate this concept is the go no-go method. Animals learn to discriminate between two stimuli and is then presented with an ambiguous stimulus. The response to the ambiguous stimulus is recorded and determine if the animal is optimistic or pessimistic in its judgement. Research has been rather successful in determining factors which can affect animal welfare, opening up for deeper discussions concerning animal cognition, awareness and their effect on welfare, but further refinements are required to assess the influence of judgement bias.

O manejo pré-abate representa grande desafio para os abatedouros frigoríficos de suínos, por esta ser uma espécie muito susceptível ao estresse. Embora o atendimento às legislações e diretrizes de bem-estar animal já sejam a realidade em grandes abatedouros frigoríficos, pouco ainda é aplicado em estabelecimentos menores, tais como os inspecionados pelos serviços de inspeção municipal e estadual. As adequações das pocilgas e equipamentos de contenção e insensibilização podem agregar valor aos produtos derivados de pequenos estabelecimentos, muitas vezes ocorre grande perda da matéria-prima ocasionada por estruturas e manejo inadequado, levando a estresse dos animais e perdas por contusões na musculatura. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as estruturas e operações do manejo pré-abate de suínos em um abatedouro e propor alterações para melhor eficiência destas operações, visando consequente melhoria do bem-estar animal. Para tanto, o presente trabalho foi dividido em três etapas, como segue: Etapa 1) Avaliou-se a eficiência da insensibilização de 509 suínos nas condições regulares do abatedouro (primeira fase) e após a realização de um treinamento dos funcionários e a substituição do equipamento de insensibilização (segunda fase). A eficiência da insensibilização foi verificada por meio dos sinais de respiração rítmica, movimentos oculares, pedaleio, endireitamento da cabeça e tentativa de recuperar a postura, vocalização e se o animal voltou a andar. O estudo revelou que apenas 28,28% dos suínos estavam adequadamente insensibilizados na primeira fase. Já na segunda fase, verificou-se uma importante melhoria, sendo que 82,55% estavam insensibilizados adequadamente. Etapa 2) Nas análises das instalações das pocilgas de recepção e espera existentes atualmente, verificou-se diversas inconformidades em relação à legislação vigente e às recomendações de bem-estar no manejo pré-abate de suínos. Foi proposta melhorias a serem realizadas visando melhorar o bem-estar animal e qualidade da carne, por meio do desenvolvimento do projeto das novas instalações para o desembarque, corredor de acesso, pocilgas de espera e matança dos suínos, incluindo o levantamento do valor para estas reformas, orçadas em R$ 128.480,27. Etapa 3) As estruturas da área de insensibilização e sangria também foram avaliadas e verificou-se diversas deficiências, tanto ergonômicas para os funcionários como para o bem-estar animal. Também neste caso foi proposto um projeto de melhorias para este setor, incluindo a instalação de um box de contenção e insensibilização e mesa de sangria, visando maior rapidez no processo, o que reduziria ainda mais os problemas de insensibilização inadequada verificados na Etapa 1. Conclui-se que simples treinamentos de funcionários e ajustes de equipamentos são importantes para melhorar o bem-estar no abate de suínos, e maiores investimentos precisam ser realizados nas estruturas de recepção e abate dos suínos para garantir o bem-estar animal adequado em todas as operações do manejo pré-abate do abatedouro estudado. / The pre-slaughter management presents a great challenge for the slaughterhouses of pigs, because this is a species very susceptible to stress. Although compliance with animal welfare legislation and guidelines is already the reality in large slaughterhouses, little is still applied in smaller establishments, such as those inspected by the municipal and state inspection services. The adequacies of styes and containment and desensitization equipment can add value to products derived from small establishments, often a great loss of raw material caused by structures and improper handling, leading to animal stress and losses due to bruises on the musculature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the structures and operations of the pre-slaughtering of pigs in a slaughterhouse and to propose changes to improve the efficiency of these operations, aiming at the consequent improvement of animal welfare. To do so, the present work was divided in three stages, as follows: Step 1) The efficiency of the desensitization of 509 pigs under the regular conditions of the slaughterhouse (first phase) and after the training of the employees and the replacement of the equipment (second phase). The efficiency of the desensitization was verified through the signs of rhythmic breathing, ocular movements, pedaling, straightening of the head and attempt to recover the posture, vocalization and if the animal returned to walk. The study revealed that only 28.28% of the pigs were adequately numbed in the first stage. In the second phase, there was an important improvement, with 82.55% being adequately numbed. Step 2) In the analysis of the facilities of the reception and waiting pens currently in existence, there were several non-conformities regarding current legislation and welfare recommendations on the pre-slaughtering of pigs. Improvements to animal welfare and meat quality have been proposed through the development of the new landing facility design, access corridor, porpoise and pig slaughtering facilities, including the assessment of the value of these facilities reforms, budgeted at R $ 128,480.27. Step 3) The structures of the area of desensitization and bleeding were also evaluated and there were several deficiencies, both ergonomic for employees and for animal welfare. Also in this case, a project of improvements for this sector was proposed, including the installation of a containment and desensitization box and bleeding table, aiming at a faster process, which would further reduce the problems of inadequate desensitization verified in Step 1. Concludes that simple employee training and equipment adjustments are important to improve welfare at pig slaughter, and greater investments need to be made in the reception and slaughtering structures of pigs to ensure adequate animal welfare in all operations of the pre-slaughtering management of the slaughterhouse studied.