Animal health and welfare of the animals kept for farming purposes

The owner and / or breeder should ensure that the animals they keep for farming purposes:

• are not exposed to hunger and thirst;
• are protected from discomfort and are placed in an environment that is appropriate for their species;
• are protected from pain, injury or disease;
• are enabled to express their normal behavior;
• are not exposed to fear and anxiety.
   

Сместувањето на животните треба да биде на начин со кој ќе се избегне штетното влијание на надворешните фактори од животната средина.

На животните треба секојдневно да им се обезбеди вода за напојување со соодветен квалитет како и храна со соодветна хранлива вредност, хигиенски исправна и соодветна за нивната старост и вид заради оддржување на здравјето и физиолошките потреби.

The accommodation of animals should be in a way that avoids the harmful effects of external environmental factors.

Animals should be provided daily with adequate quality water, as well as food with adequate nutritional value, hygienic and appropriate for their age and species in order to maintain the health and the physiological needs..

It is prohibited to cause pain, suffering or injury, cruel and inhumane treatment and killing of animals contrary to the provisions of the Law on Animal Health and Welfare.

Animal mutilation is prohibited, as well as any surgical or similar intervention in which animal mutilation is performed for aesthetic or other reasons, unless recommended by a veterinarian or if it is not contrary to this law.

Surgical interventions are performed only if there are medical or breeding conditions for this, with proper use of complete or local anesthesia and in a way that avoids causing unnecessary pain or suffering to the animal.

It is forbidden to force animals to work that exceed their physiological capacity, health or fitness.

Any injured or sick animal should be cared for immediately and veterinary care should be provided immediately if its health condition does not improve. Sick and injured animals should be placed in separate dry and comfortable areas or beds.

Breeders and / or animal owners should keep records of each medical treatment of animals and the number of dead individuals at each examination. Records should be kept for at least three years and should be available at the request of the Agency.

The materials, form, construction and maintenance of the housing, facilities and equipment which the animals come in contact with, should be easily cleaned and disinfected and should not be harmful to the animals.

The accommodation and the animal beds should be constructed and maintained in such a way as to ensure that there are no sharp corners or projections that could harm the animals.

The installations, heating and ventilation of establishments should provide air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative humidity and concentration of gases within the limits at which they do not harm the animals.

Indoor animals should not be kept in the dark continuously or without adequate rest period from the artificial lighting. If natural lighting is not sufficient to meet the physiological and etiological needs of the animals, it is necessary to provide adequate artificial lighting.

Animals that are not kept in establishments should be adequately protected from adverse weather conditions, predators and the risk to their health.

The equipment used and which may affect the health and the welfare of the animals should be inspected at least once a day. If defects are found, they should be removed immediately or, if necessary, appropriate steps taken to protect the health and welfare of the animals.

If the health and welfare of the animals depends on artificial ventilation, it is necessary to provide a backup system that guarantees sufficient air ventilation to preserve the health and welfare of the animals in case of failure of the ventilation system and an alarm that will send an alert.

 

Special conditions for calf protection

Calves older than eight weeks should not be kept in individual beds / stalls, unless a veterinarian has determined that due to their health or behavior, they should be isolated for treatment. The width of each individual stall / calf bed should be at least equal to the body length of the calf measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal end of tuber ischii multiplied by 1.1. Individual calf stalls/ beds (with the exception of those for isolated sick animals) should have perforated walls that should allow the animals to have direct visual and tactile contact.

Calves held in groups should have enough free space for turning and lying down, as follows:

1. calves weighing up to 150 kg live weight should have at least 1.5 m2 of space,
2. calves weighing 150 kg to 220 kg live weight should have at least 1.7 m2 of space and
3. calves weighing over 220 kg live weight should have at least 1.8 m2 of space.

The materials used for the construction of the calf accommodation facility, especially the stalls and equipment which the calves may come into contact with, should not be harmful to the calves and should enable to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Calves should not be kept in the dark all the time.

Calves housed in stables should be inspected by the owner or the person responsible for the animals at least twice a day, and outdoor calves should be inspected at least once a day.

Calves should not be tied, with the exception of grouped calves that can be tied for a period not exceeding one hour during feeding or milk replacement.

The floor on which the calves are held should be smooth but not slippery to prevent injury to the calves while standing or lying down. The floors should be adjusted to the size and weight of the calves and form a flat, firm and stable surface. The beds should be comfortable, clean and with proper drainage. For calves up to two weeks of age, but also for older calves, it is recommended the lying area to be covered with suitable bedding that should be clean, dry and in a sufficiently thick layer.

Calves should be fed at least twice a day. If the calves are housed in groups and are not fed ad libitum or fed by an automatic feeding system, each calf should have access to food at the same time as the other animals in the group.

Each calf should be given colostrum (or a substitute for colostrum) as soon as possible after birth, but no later than the first six hours of life.

Calves older than two weeks should have access to sufficient fresh drinking water or be able to fulfill their fluid needs by consuming other fluids.

 

Conditions for protection of cows and heifers

During free housing, the number of animals accommodated should not exceed the number of individual beds available, i.e. the number of eating spots if animal feed is not provided ad libitum. The shape and dimensions of the hallways and the movement zone should be such as to avoid unnecessary pushing between the animals.

The length of the beds should allow standing and lying on a solid floor. Individual beds and stands should allow for specific animal movements when lying down and standing.

Animals should not be kept on a completely lattice surface. The beds should be covered with straw or other suitable bedding in order to ensure comfort and reduce the risk of injury.

Animals should be allowed to leave the stables when possible, especially in summer.

 

Conditions for protection of bulls for breeding and fattening

Bulls should not be kept individually or in groups of less than 20 animals. Bulls should not be joined to already established groups and no group should join another group. Group holding of horned bulls or placing horned and dehorned bulls together should be avoided.

When holding bulls for breeding:

1. Bulls of average size should have at least 16 m2 free floor area of an individual stall and bulls weighing more than 1000 kg should have at least 1m2 for every 60 kg live weight free floor area of the individual stall.
2. The breeding area should be designed, equipped and maintained in a way that prevents animal injuries.

When keeping bulls for fattening, the minimum space required for group accommodation of bulls weighing about 600 kg should not be less than 3m2 per animal. The bulls should be provided with enough space to lie down.

 

Conditions for the protection of Pigs

When holding pigs, the establishments and accommodation facilities must meet the following conditions:

 

1. Free floor area that should be available for each weaned piglet or piglets for breeding held in a group, with the exception of gilts after fertilization and sows should be in accordance with the areas given in Table 1:

Table 1

 

Live weight, kg

m2 

Up to 10

0,15

10 to 20

0,20

20 to 30

0,30

30 to 50

0,40

50 to 85

0,55

85 to 110

0,65

Over 110

1,00

2. In case of group holding of gilts and sows, the total available free floor area should be:

a) 1,64 m2 for each gilt after fertilization (at least 0.95 m2 solid floor);

b) 2,25 m2 for each sow (at least 1,3 m2 solid floor).

In case the pigs are kept in groups on concrete and lattice floor:

a)the maximum width of the drainage holes shall be:

• 11 mm for piglets;
• 14 mm for weaned piglets;
• 18 mm for pigs for breeding and
• 20 mm for gilts after fertilization and sows.

b)The minimum width of the grids should be:

• 50 mm for piglets and weaned piglets and
• 80 mm for pigs for breeding, gilts after fertilization and sows

Pigs should not be kept tied.

Sows and gilts should be kept in groups for a period of four weeks after fertilization up to one week before the expected farrowing time. The sides of the stalls where the group is held should be longer than 2.8 m. If the group consists of less than six animals, the sides of the stalls should be longer than 2.4 m (except sows and gilts kept in holdings with less than 10 sows)

Pigs need to have constant access to sufficient material to allow them proper studying and manipulation. The manipulation material should not endanger the health of the pigs and may be: straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost, peat or a mixture thereof.

Gilts and sows held in groups should be fed using a system that ensures that each individual can get enough food even in the presence of competition. To satisfy hunger and the need to chew, all dried pregnant sows and gilts should be given a sufficient high quality bulky feed or feed with a high concentration of crude fiber, as well as high energy feeds.

Pigs kept in particularly aggressive groups, which have been attacked by other pigs or pigs that are sick or injured, can be temporarily kept in individual stalls. In such a case, if this is not contrary to the recommendations of the veterinarian, the animal should be allowed to turn easily in the individual stall.

Persons engaged in the care of pigs must have a certificate recognized by the Agency confirming that the person has undergone training covering the thematic areas listed in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5). ), (6), (7), (8), (9) of this Article and Articles 8 and 9 of the Rulebook on protection and welfare of animals kept for farming purposes.

In the area of the establishment where the pigs are constantly kept, noise stronger than 85 dBA should be avoided, as well as avoiding constant or sudden noise.

Pigs should be kept at a light intensity of at least 40 lux, for a period of not less than eight hours a day.

Pig housings should be designed to allow animals to:

 

1. have access to the beds that are comfortable, dry and clean and with an area sufficient for all animals to be able to lie down at the same time;
2. rest and get up normally and
3. see other pigs (the exception is the week before the expected farrowing and during the farrowing).

Floors should be smooth but not slippery to reduce the risk of injury and be constructed and maintained in a way that does not cause suffering and injury to the pigs. The floors should be appropriate to the size and weight of the pigs and they should form a rigid, flat and stable surface.

Pigs should be fed at least once a day. When pigs are fed in groups and when the food is not given ad libitum but is given through an automatic system, each pig should have access to food at the same time as the other pigs in the group.

All pigs older than two weeks should have access to sufficient fresh drinking water.

The following conditions must be met during the breeding and keeping of boars intended for breeding:

• The stalls where the boars are kept should be constructed in such a way that they can easily turn around and be able to smell and hear other pigs. The minimum free floor area should be at least 6 m² and
• If the stall for boars is also used as a stall for fertilizing, the floor area should be at least 10 m² without any obstacles.

In addition, when breeding and keeping gilts and sows, the following conditions must be met:

 

1. The breeder should allow normal social interactions and minimize the occurrence of aggression;
2. If necessary, pregnant gilts and sows should be treated against ecto- and endo- parasites. If they are housed in labour (delivery) stalls, pregnant gilts and sows should be thoroughly cleaned;
3. The week, before the expected time of farrowing of sows and gilts, they should be provided with adequate material in sufficient quantity to form a litter if this is not contrary to the method of fertilization in the facilities where the pigs are kept;
4. When giving birth, behind the gilt or the sow there should be a free surface to allow natural farrowing or to provide assistance when needed and
5. In pig farms, where sows are kept free, there should be fences as a means of protecting of piglets.

 

In addition, when breeding and keeping piglets, the following conditions must be met:

 

1. Part of the floor, sufficient to allow all animals to rest together, should be solid or covered with a solid mat, ie covered with straw or other suitable material;
2. If a litter is used for the piglets it should be large enough to allow the pigs to suckle
3. Piglets must not be weaned from the sow before the age of 28 days, except in cases where their or the health and welfare of the sow are endangered. Piglets can be weaned and separated from the sows seven days earlier at most if they are moved to specialized stalls that have been emptied and completely cleaned and disinfected before the new group is introduced.

Additionally, the following should be applied when holding weaned piglets and piglets for breeding:

1. if weaned piglets or piglets for breeding are kept in groups, it is necessary to take measures to prevent fights that exceed normal behavior;
2. If there are signs of strong fights, it is necessary to immediately investigate the cause and take appropriate corrective measures, such as providing a sufficient amount of straw if possible or another type of manipulative material for animals. Endangered animals or individual aggressive animals should be kept separate from the group;
3. the use of sedatives to prevent interference should be limited to exceptional circumstances and only after consultation with a veterinarian;
4. Mixing the piglets should be minimized as much as possible and
5. If there is a need to mix piglets that are unknown to each other, this should be done at an earlier age, preferably before or one week after weaning. Groups of approximately equal size should be mixed. When piglets are mixed, they should be able to escape and hide from other pigs. Any mixing should be carefully monitored.

Special conditions for protection of laying hens

The conditions do not apply to:

• establishments with less than 350 laying hens, and
• establishments for keeping and breeding of parent flocks

 

Breeding of laying hens in alternative systems (barn, free system)

(1)Breeders and / or the owner of the laying hens, for the alternative breeding systems for laying hens should provide:

1. Linear feeders that provide at least 10 cm of the feeder per hen or circular feeders that provide at least 4 cm of the feeder per hen;
2. Continuous troughs that provide at least 2.5 cm of the trough per hen or circular troughs that provide at least 1 cm of the trough per hen. If troughs with nipples or cups are used, there should be at least one nipple or cup for every 10 hens. If the watering spots are connected linearly, at least two cups or two troughs with nipples should be available to each hen;
3. For every seven hens there should be at least one nest available. If group nests are used, there should be at least 1 m2 nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;
4. Appropriate resting barriers for hens that should be without sharp corners and at least 15 cm per hen. The rest barriers for hens should not be placed above the scraping area where pecking and scratching are possible, and the horizontal distance between the hens' rest barriers should be at least 30 cm. The horizontal distance between the resting barriers of the hens and the wall should be at least 20 cm and
5. Each laying hen should have at least 250 cm2 available for scraping where pecking and scratching are possible, which should cover at least one third of the floor area.

 

(2)The floors should be such as to ensure that the laying hen stands with all three front claws resting on the ground.

If breeding systems are used where laying hens can move freely between different levels, the following conditions must be met:

а) there should be no more than four levels;
b) the free space between the levels should be at least 45 cm;
c) the watering and the feeding equipment should be positioned in such a way as to ensure equal access for all hens and
d) the levels should be set so as to prevent the feces from falling below the levels.

If laying hens have access to open outlets, the following conditions must be met:

 

1. There should be several openings that allow direct exit to the outlets. The openings should be at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide and spread along the entire length of the building. The total area of the openings should be at least 2 m long per 1000 hens and
2. open outlets must meet the following conditions:

а) the surface is sufficient according to the population density of the laying hens and depending on the type of the foundation to prevent any contamination and
b) to be equipped with a shelter from adverse weather conditions and predators, and if necessary, to install appropriate troughs.

The population density of laying hens should not exceed nine hens per m2 of the available floor area.

 

Breeding laying hens in a basic cage system

 

1. For each laying hen, at least 550 cm2 free floor area should be provided, measured in the horizontal plane of the cage, which can be used without restriction. not including plates that protect the eggs from being pecked or soiled if they restrict the available area.
2. Feeders that can be used without restriction should be provided. Each laying hen in the cage should have at least 10 cm of feeder per length available;
3. If troughs with nipples or cups are not provided, each cage should have a continuous supply channel of the same length as the feeders listed in point 2 of this article. If the troughs are connected linearly at least two troughs with nipples or two cups should be available in each cage;
4. Cages should be at least 40 cm high in 65% of the cage space, and not less than 35 cm high at each point of the cage.
5. The floors of the cages should be such as to ensure that the laying hen stands with all three front claws resting on the ground. The slope of the cage should not exceed 14% or 8 °. The Agency may allow the use of cages with a larger slope if the cages are not constructed of a rectangular wire mesh.
6. Appropriate devices for shortening the claws should be placed in the cages.

 

Breeding laying hens in a an improved cage system/h3>

 

1. At least 750 cm 2 free floor area should be provided for each laying hen, of which 600 cm 2 should be usable area. The height of the cage, except above the usable area, should be at least 20 cm high at each point of the cage. The total area of the cage should not be less than 2000 cm 2 ;
2. Nest;
3. Scraping space where pecking and scratching are possible and
4. Appropriate resting barriers for hens of at least 15 cm per hen.

Feeders that can be used without restriction should be provided. Each laying hen in the cage should have at least 12 cm of feeder per length available;

Each cage should have a watering system appropriate to the number of animals in the cage. Where troughs with nipples are provided, at least two troughs with nipples or two cups should be within reach of each hen.

To allow an overview of the laying hens, their introduction in and taking out, the minimum width between rows of cages should be 90 cm and the space counted from the bottom of the lowest cage and the floor should be at least 35 cm.

Appropriate devices for shortening the claws should be placed in the cages.

 

Additional standards for breeding of laying hens

 

1. All laying hens should be inspected by their owners or responsible persons at least once a day.
2. The noise level should be kept to a minimum. The hens should not be exposed to constant or sudden noise. Fans, feeding and other equipment should be designed, operated and maintained in a way that causes the least possible noise.
3. The building should have sufficient lighting to allow the laying hens to see each other clearly, to see their surroundings and to show a normal level of activity. If the building is lit by natural light, it should be evenly distributed in the building;
4. In the first days after the placement of the laying hens, the lighting mode should be such as to prevent health and etiological problems. It should be functional 24 hours a day and include a sufficient continuous period of darkness lasting about a third of the day to allow the laying hens to rest and avoid problems such as immunosuppression and eye abnormalities.
5. In buildings where animals are kept, the lighting should not be abruptly interrupted. When the light needs to be turned off, it should be in a way that gradually darkens, the darkening time should be long enough for the hens to calm down without being disturbed or injured.
6. All parts of the buildings and equipment that may come in contact with the hens should be cleaned and disinfected regularly and in any case when depopulation is performed or before the introduction of a new group of laying hens in the building. While the establishment is inhabited with hens, the equipment, the cages, the premises and other areas should be properly cleaned..
7. Feces should be removed as often as possible and dead hens must be removed daily.
8. The cages should be properly constructed to prevent the hens from coming out.
9. If the housing of laying hens is on several floors, equipment for uninterrupted surveillance and removal of hens should be available.
10. The shape and dimensions of the cage doors should allow the removal of an adult hen without causing unnecessary suffering or injury.

 

Conditions for the welfare of broilers

(1)The conditions listed do not apply to:

1. holdings with less than 500 broilers,
2. holdings for keeping and breeding of parent flocks.
3. incubator stations,
4. broilers that are kept extensively in a closed facility (bred indoors) and a free way of breeding in accordance with Articles 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Rulebook for additional identification of poultry meat intended for the market in terms of the cooling method and method of breeding, labels and their use. and
5. broilers that are kept in a breeding system of organic production in accordance with the Law on Organic Agricultural Production

(2)The provisions also apply to the breeding flock in case there are both parent flocks and breeding flocks in the holding.

1. Owners and / or broiler breeders should ensure that the broiler establishments meet the requirements for broiler holdings.
2. The maximum population density in the broiler establishments in the holding does not exceed 33 kg / m² live weight (with the exception of broilers can be kept in higher population densities if the owners and / or breeders of broilers meet the provisions of Article 18 of this Rulebook. The maximum population density should not exceed 39 kg / m² live weight).

 

Training

(1)The person responsible in the broiler holding should have undergone a training and have the certificate specified in Article 13 of the Law on Animal Health and Welfare, which confirms that he / she has undergone training, especially in the following areas:

1. The conditions for the broiler holdings listed as well as the conditions for increased population densities in broiler establishments,
2. The physiology of broilers especially the physiological needs for food and water, the behavior of broilers as well as the physiology of stress,
3. Practical aspects of animal handling, catching, loading, unloading and transport,
4. Urgent care, humane slaughter and slaughter out of necessity and
5. Preventive and basic biosecurity measures.

Conditions for broiler holdings

 

1. The troughs in the broiler establishments should be maintained and placed in a way as to minimize the unnecessary leaking.
2. Broilers should have continuous access to food or be given food in meals. The maximum time limit for food access for broilers is 12 hours from the scheduled slaughter time.
3. Broilers should have access to a dry crumbly bedding that is loose on the surface.
4. The ventilation in the buildings should have sufficient capacity to prevent overheating and in combination with heating systems to remove excess moisture.
5. The noise levels in the buildings should be kept to a minimum. Fans, feeding equipment, and other equipment should be designed, installed, and operated in a way that produces low noise levels.
6. During periods of light in the broiler establishments, measured at eye level, the light intensity should not be less than 20 lux. The light should illuminate at least 80% of the usable area. In accordance with the recommendation given by a veterinarian, the intensity of light in broiler establishments may be temporarily reduced.
7. During the time calculated after the first seven days of housing of the broilers in the establishments up to three days before the scheduled slaughter time, there should be a 24-hour light regime in the establishment, of which at least a total of 6 hours should be dark and at least 4 hours should be continuous darkness. The period of gradual dimming of the establishment is not considered as a period of darkness.
8. All broilers in the establishments should be inspected by the owners and / or breeders at least twice a day for which records should be kept. During the examination, special attention should be paid to the signs that indicate poor health and welfare of the broilers. Broilers that have severe injuries and obviously suffer from difficulties in walking, severe ascites, or serious malformations should either receive appropriate veterinary care or be killed in a humane manner.
9. All surfaces and equipment that come in contact with the broilers during their keeping should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after depopulation and before introducing new broilers in the establishment. After the depopulation, the bedding should be removed and before introducing a new population, a new and clean bedding should be placed.
10. Owners and / or breeders should keep proper records in each facility with broilers, especially for:

1. Number of broilers

2. Usable area

3. The hybrid or breed of broilers if known,

4. Dead individuals found during each examination and if the cause of death is known as well as the cause and number of killed broilers an

5. Number of broilers left in the flock after the sale or slaughter of a certain number of broilers.

1. Records should be kept for at least three years and should be available at the request of the Agency.

Conditions for increased population densities in broiler facilities

(1)Owners and / or broiler breeders should notify the Agency if they plan to increase the broiler population density in the facilities over 33 kg / m² live weight.
(2)Owners and / or broiler breeders must notify the Agency at least 15 days before settling of the flock in the facilities for the planned activities referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article.
(3)In addition to the notification referred to in paragraph (2) of this Article, the owners and / or breeders of broilers shall submit to the Agency a summary information from the documentation referred to in paragraph (4) of this Article.
(4)Owners and / or breeders of broilers in the holding should keep and have available the documentation that describes in detail the technical details of the facilities and equipment, and at least the following documents:
1.Architectural design of the building with clearly defined dimensions and the area of the floor surfaces available for broilers,
2.Ventilation system and if there is a cooling and heating system including their placement, ventilation plan, detailed target values of air quality such as air flow and velocity and temperature in the buildings,
3.Feeding and watering systems and their position in the facility
4.Alarm systems and backup systems for equipment that is essential to the health and welfare of the broilers,
5.The type of floor and the bedding
(5)Documentation should be available at the request of the Agency and should be updated regularly. A record of the technical inspection of the ventilation system and the alarm system should be kept regularly.
(6)If the owners and / or breeders of broilers make any changes to the procedures, equipment and facilities for broilers that are relevant to the welfare of the broilers should immediately notify the Agency.
(7)Owners and / or breeders of broilers should have a ventilation system installed in the broiler facilities and, if necessary, a heating and cooling system is necessary in the broiler facilities they should provide:
1.the maximum concentration of ammonia (NH₃) should be 20 ppm, measured at the head height of the broilers
2.the maximum concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) should be 3000 ppm, measured at the head height of the broilers,
3.the temperature should not exceed the outside temperature by more than 3⁰ C, when the outside temperature measured in the shade is 30⁰ C and
4.the average relative humidity measured during 48 hours does not exceed 70% when the outside temperature is lower than 10⁰ C.

 

Monitoring and supervision in slaughterhouses

 

1. Broilers raised in breeding systems where the population density is greater than 33 kg / m² live weight, when admitted to the slaughterhouse should be accompanied by documentation of daily mortality calculated by owners and / or breeders of broilers as well as the hybrid or breed of the broilers.
2. Under the supervision of an official veterinarian, the documentation as well as the number of found dead broilers at the time of admission in the slaughterhouse should be recorded as well as the holding and the establishment for broilers from the holding. The reliability of the data and the cumulative daily mortality are checked in a way that takes into account the number of slaughtered broilers and the number of dead broilers found during the admission in the slaughterhouse
3. During the official control by the official veterinarian, an assessment of the post mortem finding should be done, in order to identify the signs of poor welfare. The official veterinarian should note whether the carcasses have abnormal levels of contact dermatitis, parasite infestation, and systemic diseases of the broilers from the place of origin.
4. If the daily mortality rate indicates poor welfare, the official veterinarian should instruct the owner and / or breeder of the broilers as well as notify the Agency. Owners and / or broiler breeders as well as the Agency should follow the instructions and notification of the official veterinarian accordingly.