Report of a project to develop a uniform control system for the evaluation of animal welfare in organic farming in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Annotation. The rapid growth of organic farming has been among the most remarkable changes in global agriculture in recent decades. However, more attention was initially aid to the crop side of organic systems, and animals are a lower priority in formal research and the development of organic farming. But now, that has changed. There is now greater recognition of the need to understand animal health and welfare better. The purpose of this book is to further the understanding of organic animal husbandry and to demonstrate practical solutions and innovative methods, drawing mainly on research and practical experience with organic farming in Europe.

This collection addresses recent research on challenges facing organic animal farming such as more targeted breeding, improved grazing and feed rations, better methods of health and disease management as well as ways of enhancing animal welfare.

Completely revised, updated and with four new chapters on sustainability, new technologies, precision agriculture and the future of animal welfare. This book is edited by an outstanding world expert on animal welfare, it emphasizes throughout the importance of measuring conditions that compromise welfare, such as lameness, heat stress, body condition, and bruises during transport.The book combines scientific information with practical recommendations for use on commercial operations and reviews practical information on livestock handling, euthanasia, slaughter, pain relief, and assessments of abnormal behavior.

Demand for organically produced animal products has dramatically increased in Europe over recent years. This book reports the outcomes of a conference on the production of Organic Meat and Milk from Ruminants, that was held in Athens in October 2001. The topics presented range from the current and future state of the markets for such products, the legislation associated with their production, the health issues that arise from it and the impact of organic agriculture on farming systems and socio-economic structures. Contributors addressing these topics include leading scientists from Europe, and this book will be of particular interest to researchers, professionals and producers who deal with the challenge of organic meat and milk production from ruminants.

What constitutes animal welfare? With animals being used for companionship, service, research, food, fiber, and by-products, animal welfare is a topic of great interest and importance to society. As the world's population continues to increase, a major challenge for society is the maintenance of a strong and viable food system, which is linked to t