Livestock production and animal welfare: a critical analysis of legislation and scientific evidence on operator, animal and consumer safety; a case study on ClassyFarm implementation in small-scale dairy farms

This thesis provides a critical analysis of the legislation regarding the safety of operators, consumers, and animals within the meat supply chain, with a particular emphasis on animal welfare. Linked to this introduction is the experimental section, which presents the results of a pilot study on the implementation of the ClassyFarm protocol in small-scale dairy farms, both tie-stall and free-stall housing systems, in the province of Isernia in the Molise region, and the neighbouring towns in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region. Specifically, this study represents the first attempt to collect information regarding the status quo on biosecurity and animal welfare through the implementation of the ClassyFarm protocol in small-scale dairy farms in the inner areas of South Italy. In the first part of the thesis the starting point is the farm and the related legislation to ensure workplace safety and regulations aimed at guaranteeing food safety, with consumer protection as the primary goal. These regulations are closely linked to animal welfare, as there is a strong connection between animal welfare, animal health, and foodborne diseases. Animal welfare is increasingly an essential part of an integrated quality system for producing food of animal origin. This system ensures that consumers receive products from farms where animals are raised in accordance with their basic needs. Ensuring animal welfare requires good husbandry practices, as well as proper housing, hygiene, nutrition, and health conditions. Therefore, animal welfare criteria should be integral to supply requirements. Suppliers of meat and animal products must sign agreements to guarantee that their production chains comply with current EU and Italian animal welfare regulations. The safety of operators, animals and consumers in the meat supply chain is also closely linked to the identification of efficient and effective traceability methods. In this broader context, the adoption in Italy of the ClassyFarm system represent a unique tool to evaluate the performance of farms and highlight best practices in biosecurity, management, and farm structure, suggesting possible interventions to improve animal production, prevent diseases, and combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance. It aims to create a virtuous cycle that encourages the adoption of best practices and promotes healthier animal husbandry. This approach not only provides economic benefits for farmers but also ensures safety and quality for consumers. The second part of the thesis was focused on the research carried out on 14 dairy cattle farms located in the hilly and mountainous area in the province of Isernia in the Molise region, and the neighbouring towns in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region. The farms' welfare assessments were performed by a trained veterinarian with the support of one expert livestock technician using the ClassyFarm checklist for dairy cattle, considering different subpopulations (calves, heifers, lactating cows, and dry cows). The checklist was the one considered for the ClassyFarm system which includes 99 questions for tie stall (TS) systems and 105 for free stall (FS) systems split on the five macro-areas: Area A – farm management and staff training; Area B – structures and equipment; Area C – animal-based measures; Biosecurity area; Hazards and Risks area. For the investigated tie-stalls (n. 7) and free-stalls (n.7), the descriptive statistic for the herd size and all the checklist questions belonging to the five areas of ClassyFarm protocol was performed. The results of this pilot study indicated that, overall, all the farms included in the research received adequate ratings. However, several critical issues were identified in each of the five monitored areas. In particular, significant concerns arose in the biosecurity area for free-stall and tie-stall farms, specifically regarding the loading of animal carcasses and live animals: the loading areas did not maintain the required distance of 20 meters from the housing facilities. This issue largely stems from space constraints that many of the farms face. Furthermore, in tie-stall farms emerged the problem regarding the contact with other animals outside the herd, which significantly increases the risk of spreading common infectious agents. Many farmers in tie-stall farms lack knowledge about health status and consequently do not have prevention or control plans for endo- and ecto-parasitosis. In general, there is a need to raise awareness among farmers about biosecurity practices through effective education and easier access to available European funds, as well as through training courses. This will help address the economic and logistical challenges associated with implementing biosecurity measures, especially in small-scale dairy farms. In the management area, free-stall farms received an adequate or optimal evaluation, even if, one farm had critical issues concerning the cleanliness of the laying area among all observed groups. Differently, tie-stall farms overall received an adequate evaluation, but critical issues were identified in a small percentage of farms, particularly related to feeding management and the cleanliness of the main sections of the housing building. Generally, it can be supposed that the small herd size allows farmers to observe each animal daily and respond quickly to their needs. Regarding the housing area, free-stall farms generally received optimal ratings, while tie-stall farms mostly received adequate ratings. Criticism was noted for laying material in one free-stall farm and for the area destined to calves and for the environmental conditions in one tie-stall farm. The results obtained for the Area C, regarding the animal-based measurements (ABMs), indicate that both the tie- and free-stall farms received an optimal or acceptable evaluation. This suggests that most of the animals are comfortable being approached and touched, or at least show curiosity towards humans and approach them. Again, it can be supposed that the small-scale farms may positively influence animal welfare by providing better individual care and fostering human-animal bonding. However, it should be noted that one farm faced unfavourable results mainly due to issues with cow cleanliness, udder health, the number of mastitis treatments, and the mortality of heifers and calves. The last area of verification, Hazard risks and alarm systems, was characterized by the highest criticisms, particularly in tie-stall farms, where problems were found related to noise pollution and inadequate alarm systems for ventilation and fire safety. Additionally, there were concerns about the treatment register and stock register. The results of this study reveal key weaknesses and areas for improvement in the monitored farms. To fully understand the implementation of the innovative ClassyFarm system, further research with a larger number of farms is necessary. In addition, to promote best practices in biosecurity and animal welfare management, targeted interventions and educational initiatives should be prioritized to empower farmers. However, the resulting increase in production costs requires society to be willing to pay more for animal-based food produced under biosecurity conditions, respecting animal welfare and the environment in a contest of sustainability. In most countries this will have to be achieved via education of the public and by legislation.