A new, nationwide animal welfare law came into effect in Austria on January 1, 2005. Due to the new husbandry requirements, many farmers are forced to implement adaptation measures. These adaptations range from small, inexpensive improvements or modifications to very costly new construction or renovations.
For the purpose of the project, data collection forms were developed, and farm surveys and measurements were carried out on 52 cattle farms. Experiences were also shared with the farmers involved. All collected data were compared with both the existing state laws and the draft regulations for the Federal Animal Welfare Act that were in effect at that time. The focus was primarily on the type of housing system, specifically on stall dimensions, lateral barriers, barn platforms, cow trainers, walking and feeding passage widths, floor quality, and criteria relating to feeding and watering, lighting, barn climate, care, and interventions.
Several aspects of the Federal Animal Welfare Act and its regulations have emerged as problematic for farmers, making compliance difficult. These include, in particular:
- the ban on tethering calves up to 6 months old
- compliance with the stand lengths and widths at the tie-up stand and
- This also includes, in part, compliance with the minimum dimensions of the cubicles.
Furthermore, it has become apparent that several points of the 1st Animal Husbandry Ordinance require detailed interpretation and guidance for data collection (including the length and width of stalls in tie-stall housing, minimum dimensions or number of cubicles, minimum areas for group housing or for free-range housing, the animal: feeding space ratio, light, feed trough floor).
The nationwide Animal Welfare Act, which came into force on January 1, 2005, laid an important foundation for regulating the keeping of farm animals. Further public education efforts are still needed for the farmers affected. The Federal Animal Welfare Act presents both a challenge and a great opportunity for Austrian agriculture.
