Baltic Animal Welfare Network

Andres Aland 

David Arney 

Aino Nõmmeots 

Kerli Mõtus

Piret Kalmus

Ragnar Leming

Birgit Aasmäe

Kaari Reimus

Maria Soonberg

Francesca Carnovale

Annemari Polikarpus 

Anne Pavlenko 

Baltic Vianco OÜ

CV ilink opens in new pagen ETISlink opens in new page

Anneli Matsi

Varjupaikade MTÜ

[email protected]

Laura Kiiroja

Dalhousie University, wolf and zoo animals

[email protected] 

Liene Ansone

Ministry of Agriculture, feed and welfare

[email protected]

Gundega Micule

Latvia University of Agriculture, NAP, antimicrobial resistance

[email protected]

Iveta Kocina

Institute of food safety, animal health and environment; BIOR; Division of risk assessment and epidemiology, contact point PARERE and slaughter, laboratory animals

[email protected]

Ance Kozulāne

Latvia University of Agriculture

[email protected]

Dace Smiltina

Latvia University of Agriculture, livestock conservation genetics

[email protected]

Kaspars Kovaļenko

Latvia University of Agriculture

[email protected]

Violeta Baliukonienė

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, mycotoxins and production

[email protected]

Jurgita Jovaišienė

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, mycotoxins and dairy heath

[email protected]

Jūratė Kučinskienė

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, farm animals, companion dogs

[email protected]

• Ribikauskas, V.; Kreizaitė, J.; Morkūnaitė, J.; Arney, D. R.; Kučinskienė, J. 2024. Assessment of Native Lithuanian Horses for Therapeutic Riding Purposes
• Titanov, Z.; Kazhgaliyev, N.; Kulmagambetov, T.; Amantay, S.; Arney, D. 2023. Adaptation of the Third Generation Aberdeen Angus Heifers in the North Kazakhstan Region
• Getya, A.; Matvieiev, M.; Hryshchenko, N.; Åsbjer, E.; Staaf Larsson, B.; Karlsson, A.; Wie, H.; Zamaratskaia, G.; Kravchenko, O.; Usenko, S.; Kocina, I.; Ansone, L.; Ribikauskas, V.; Khalilova, I.; Mammadov, A.; Ojaghi, J.; Arney, D.R.; Leming, R.; Carnovale, F. 2023. The attitudes of Ukrainian consumers toward animal welfare
• Somelar, E.; Arney, D.; Moreira da S., Joaquim F. 2023. Piimaveiste võimalikud heaoluprobleemid aastaringsetes karjatamissüsteemides
• Carnovale, F.; Marcone, G.; Serrapica, F.; Lambiase, C.; Sabia, E.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G. 2023. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Goats
• Pavlenko, A.; Kaart, T.; Lidfors, L.; Arney, D. R.; Aland, A. 2023. Changes in dairy cows’ behaviour, health, and production after transition from tied to loose housing
• Arney, D.; Louhimies, S.; Knudsen, S.; Lund, L.; Kabel, K.; Peuranen, S.; Kaliste, E.; Knudsen, G.; Cvek, K. 2023. Project evaluation in animal research – Possibilities for harmonization in Nordic countries
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G; Napolitano, F. 2022. A simple method for on-farm evaluation of sheep welfare using animal-based indicators
• Arney, D. 2022. Farm Animal Welfare and Food Quality
• Carnovale, F.; Xiao, J.; Shi, B.; Arney, D.; Descovich, K.; Phillips, C. J. C. 2022. Gender and Age Effects on Public Attitudes to, and Knowledge of, Animal Welfare in China
• Arney, D. 2022. Farming non-domesticated and semi-domesticated terrestrial species
• Romagnoli, S.; Faustino, A.; Adilov, S.; Arney, D.; Israilov, Z.; Guidi, A.; Paluanov, B.; Yulchiev, J.; Hasanov, S. 2022. Uzbekistan: a report on livestock production and the provision of veterinary services
• Piibor, J.; Jeremejeva, J.; Leming, R.; Arney, D. 2022. Comparing Health and Welfare of Pigs Farmed in Conventional and in Organic Systems Housed Indoors
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G.; Napolitano, F. 2022. Relevance of animal-based indicators for the evaluation of sheep welfare as perceived by different stakeholders
• Carnovale, F.; Viinalass, H.; Arney, D. 2022. Sustainable adaptation of Estonian livestock production to climate change. 
• Soonberg, M.; Kass, M.; Kaart, T.; Barraclough, R.; Haskell, M. J.; Arney, D. R. 2021. Effect of grouping on behaviour of dairy heifers and cows in the transition period
• Carnovale, F.; Xiao, J.; Shi, B.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D.; Phillips, C. 2021. The Effects of Vehicle Type, Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Feeding on the Welfare of Sheep Transported in Low Temperatures
• Marcone, G.; Kaart, T.; Piirsalu, P.; Arney, D.R. 2021. Panting scores as a measure of heat stress evaluation in sheep with access and with no access to shade
• Arney, D. 2021. Animal welfare and morality of the use of cloned animals
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G.; Napolitano, F. 2021. Animal-based indicators for the evaluation of sheep welfare on-farm
• Hall, S. J. G.; Arney, D. R.; Bunce, R. G. H.; Vollmer, E. 2021. Video recording and vegetation classification elucidate sheep foraging ecology in species-rich grassland
• Carnovale, F.; Jin, X.; Arney, D.; Descovich, K.; Guo, W.; Shi, B.; Phillips, C. J. C. 2021. Chinese Public Attitudes towards, and Knowledge of, Animal Welfare
• Marcone, G.; Kaart, T.; Piirsalu, P.; Nutt, I.; Arney, D. 2020. Sheep Housing Choices at Cool Temperatures
• Piibor, J.; Jeremejeva, J.; Arney, D; Leming, R. 2020. Tavatootmis- ja mahesigade tervisliku seisundi ning heaolu võrdlus
• Piirsalu, P.; Marcone, G.; Arney, D.; Kass, M; Leming, R.; Tölp, S.; Ots, M. 2020.Lihaveiste ja lammaste heaoluindikaatorite alusel käitumise hindamise protokollide väljatöötamine ja heaolu hindamine, poollooduslikud kooslused lihaveiste ja lammaste söödabaasina
• Napolitano, F.; Arney, D.; Mota-Rojas, D.; De Rosa, G. 2020. Reproductive technologies and animal welfare
• Piirsalu, P.; Kaart, T.; Nutt, I.; Marcone, G.; Arney, D. 2020. The Effect of Climate Parameters on Sheep Preferences for Outdoors or Indoors at Low Ambient Temperatures
• Hall, S. J. G.; Bunce, R. G. H.; Arney, D. R.; Vollmer, E. 2020. Sheep in Species-Rich Temperate Grassland: Combining Behavioral Observations with Vegetation Characterization
• Arney, D; Lopes, M.; Romagnoli, S.; Guidi, A.; Faustino, A. 2020. There and Back Again. Uzbek Veterinary Lecturer Visits to Europe
• Soonberg, M.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D. 2019. How does changing the feeding bin affect cows’ behaviour?
• Ribikauskas, V.; Kučinskiene, J.; Arney, D.; Ribikauskiene, D. 2019. Comparative behavior studies of growing dairy and beef bulls from two different breeds
• Piirsalu, P.; Arney, D.; Kass, M.; Leming, R.; Ots, M.; Tölp, S. 2019. "Aastaringselt välitingimustes peetavate lihaveiste ja lammaste tervise- ning heaolunäitajad. Lihaveiste ja lammaste heaoluindikaatorite väljatöötamine. Poollooduslikud kooslused lihaveiste ja lammaste söödabaasina, soovitused lisasöötmise vajalikkuse kohta" lõpparuanne
• Amantay, S.; Omarkhozha, N.; Kazhgaliev, N. J.; Saginbaeva, M. B.; Arney, D. 2018. Hatchability and hatchling sex ratio depending on holding period and physical parameters of hatching eggs
• Arney, D.; Ussebayev, A.; Babliev, S. 2018. Manual for Writing a Scientific Paper
• Kass, M.; Arney, D. 2018. Põllumajandusloomade heaolu
• Arney, D. 2018. Loomade heaolu mõiste üldisemalt
• Arney, D. 2028. Loomade heaolu hindamismeetodid
• Soonberg, M.; Kass, M.; Kaart, T.; Leming, R.; Arney, D. 2018. Additional concentrates do not affect feeding times of cows, but social positions of cows do
•  Piirsalu, P.; Mõtte, M.; Arney, D.; Nutt I. 2017. Ülevaade karusloomakasvatussektorist Eestis 2000.-2014. aastani
• Arney, D.; Leming, R.; Piccart, K.; Piette, D.; Roemen, J.; Zēverte-Rivža, S., Gall, Roberta; Meli, Sara and Lloyd Richard. 2017. Dairy Sensor Research Report
• Arney, D.; Piirsalu, P. 2017. The Ethics of Keeping Fur Animals, the Estonian Context
• Arney, D. 2017. Animal Welfare Controls in Estonia
• Aland, A.; Arney, D. 2017. Current problems of pig welfare in Estonia
•  Akanova, A.; Kikebayev, N.; Kazhgaliev, N.; Arney, D. 2017. Development of technology of ice-cream with mare's milk
• Kikebayev, N. A.; Akanova, A. B.; Arney, D. 2017. Amino Acid Composition of Ice Cream Mare's Milk
• Arney, D. R. 2017. Data Driven Dairy Decisions for Farmers
• Ribikauskas, V.; Kučinskienė, J.; Arney, D.; Ribikauskienė, D. 2017. Differences in behaviour between aubrac and Lithuanian black and white bulls kept for beef
• Piirsalu, P.; Mõtte, M.; Arney, D.; Nutt, I.; Taaler, L. 2016. Karusloomakasvatuse uuring
• Walker, J.; Arney, D.; Waran, N.; Handel, I.; Phillips, C. 2015. The effect of conspecific removal on behavioral and physiological responses of dairy cattle
• Polikarpus, A.; Kaart, T.; Mootse, H.; De Rosa, G.; Arney, D. 2015. Influences of various factors on cows’ entrance order into the milking parlour
• Romaneckas, K.; Šarauskis, E.; Avižienytė, D.; Buragienė, S.; Arney, D. 2015. The main physical properties of planosol in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation under different long-term reduced tillage practices in the Baltic region
• Amantay, S.; Omarkhoza, N.; Arney, D. 2015. The Influence of Embryonic Development in Geese on Post-embryonic Productivity
• Arney, D.; Taaler, L. 2015. Milline on loomade heaolu mõõdupuu?
• Arney, D. 2015. Loomade heaolu mõjutab otseselt toidu kvaliteeti
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2015. How does cows' activity change after feeding bin change
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2015. The Effects of High and Low Concentrate Feeding on Dairy Cows' Feeding Behaviour
• Polikarpus, A.; Napolitano, F.; Grasso, F.; Di Palo, R.; Zicarelli, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G. 2014. Effect of pre-partum habituation to milking routine on behaviour and lactation performance of buffalo heifers
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2014. Dairy Cow Behaviour at Individual Feeding Bins , Can We Estimate Intakes From Behavioural Observations ? 
• Arney, D.; Jaakson, H.; Henno, M.; Valdmann, A.; Ling, K. 2014. Current Investigations into Dairy Cow Welfare at the Estonian University of Life Sciences
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2014. Loomade Heaolu Hindamine Täppisipidamisel Mõõdetuna Toodangu., Sigivus- ja Tervisenäitjate Põhjal
• Arney, D. 2014. Visions of Light and Glass: Reflections and Radiance
• Kass, M.; Ariko, T.; Samarütel, J.; Ling, K.; Jaakson, H.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O.; Ots, M. 2013. Long-term oral drenching of crude glycerol to primiparous dairy cows in early lactation
• Harzia, H.; Kilk, K.; Ariko, T.; Kass, M.; Soomets, U.; Jõudu, I.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O.; Ots, M. 2013. Crude glycerol as a glycogenic precursor in feed: effects on milk coagulation properties and metabolic profiles of dairy cows
• Wendelin, M.; Arney, D. 2013. Assessing practical markers for their suitability in estimating the pain experienced by horses with laminitis
• Polikarpus, A.; Grasso, F.; Pacelli, C.; Napolitano, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G. 2013. Behaviour of buffalo cows in the milking parlour: entrance order and side preference
• Bostanova, A.A.; Omarkozhauly, N.; Arney, D.R. 2013. Acclimitzation of Exotic Dairy Breeds to Harsh Climatic Conditions, Effects on Productivity and Welfare
• Kass, M.; Ariko, T.; Ots, M.; Kärt, O.; Arney, D. 2013. Toorglütserooli söötmise mõju lehmade söömusele, piimajõudlusele ja vatsakeskkonnale
• Kass, M.; Ariko, T.; Kaart, T.; Rihma, E.; Ots, M.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O. 2012. Effect of replacement of barley meal with crude glycerol on lactation performance of primiparous dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet
• Dijkstra, C.; Veermäe, I.; Praks, J.; Poikalainen, V.; Arney, D.R. 2012. Dairy Cow Behaviour and Welfare Implications of Time Waiting Before Entry into the Milking Parlour
• Arney, D.; Aland, A. 2012. Humane transport and slaughter of farm animals
• Arney, D.; Aland, A. 2012. Contemporary issues in farm animal housing and management - cattle housing and welfare
• Arney, D. 2012. What is Animal Welfare and How is it Assessed?
• Kass, M.; Ariko, T.; Ots, M.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O. 2012. Effect of oral glycerol on the lactation performance of dairy cows in postpartum period
• Arney, D. 2012. Climate Change and the Welfare and Management of Farm Animals in Northern Europe
• Whistance, L.K.; Sinclair, L.A.; Arney, D.R.; Phillips, C.J.C. 2011. Eliminative behaviour of dairy cows at pasture
• Kass, M.; Kaldmäe, H.; Ots, M.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O. 2011. Evaluation of the Quality and Degradability of Rapeseed Cake Protein
• Kass, M.; Ariko, T.; Ots, M.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O. 2011. Effect of oral glycerol on the lactation performance of dairy cows in postpartum period
• Arney, D. 2011. Animal Welfare and Food Quality
• Arney, D. 2011. How to deal with a boar
• Cooper, M.D.; Arney, D.R.; Phillips, C.J.C. 2010. The Motivation of High- and Low-Yielding Dairy Cows to Obtain Supplementary Concentrate Feed
• Arney, D.; Dijkstra, C.; Praks, J.; Poikalainen, V.; Veermäe, I. 2010. Effect of Stockpersons' Behaviour on the Speed of Throughput of Cows into the Milking Parlour
• Arney, D. 2010. Impact of Climate Change on the Welfare of Production Animals
• Kass, M.; Suitsmart, S.; Arney, D.; Kärt, O. 2010. Biodiisli tootmise kõrvalsaadused veiste söödana
• Arney, D.; Ling, K. 2010. Integrating Research and Market Needs in Feed for Health - A Case Study
• Arney, D. 2010. The Encyclopedia of Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare
• Arney, D. 2010. Book Review: The Ethology of Domestic Animals: An Introductory Text

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  Tänavots, A.; Aland, A.; Kokin, E. 2023. LivestockSense – Täppispidamise kasutamine Eesti seakasvatussektoris: suhtumine ja rakendamist takistavad tegurid
• Pavlenko, A.; Kaart, T.; Lidfors, L.; Arney, D. R.; Aland, A. 2023. Changes in dairy cows’ behaviour, health, and production after transition from tied to loose housing
• Tiirats, T.; Ernits, E.; Niine, T.; Aland, A. 2023. 175 aastat loomaarstiõpet ja -teadust Eestis: Eesti Maaülikooli veterinaarmeditsiini ja loomakasvatuse instituut 1848-2023
• Kokin, E.; Aland, A.; Tänavots, A. 2021. Uuring IKT kasutamisest seakasvatuses
• Pavlenko, A.; Lidfors, L.; Arney, D. R.; Kaart, T.; Aland, A. 2018. Behavior and Performance of Dairy Cows After Transfer from Tied to Cubicle Housing
• Banhazi, T.; Aland, A.; Hartung, J. 2018. Air Quality and Livestock Farming
• Aland, A. 2018. 170 aastat veterinaarharidust Tartus. Ühe vilistlase eluring
• Timonen, A.; Mõtus, K.; Dorbek-Kolin, E.; Reimus, K.; Aland, A.; Viltrop, A. 2018. Veterinaarepidemioloogide ühingu aastakonverents 2018 Tallinnas
• Reimus, K.; Aland, A. 2017. 18. rahvusvaheline loomatervishoiu kongress Mehhikos
• Aland, A.; Arney, D. 2017. Current problems of pig welfare in Estonia
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D.; Kaart, T.; Aland, A. 2017. How does changing the feeding bin affect cows’ behaviour?
• Aland, A. 2016. Eesti Maaülikooli veterinaarmeditsiini õppekava rahvusvahelise hindamise tulemustest
• Aland, A. 2015. EMÜ loomaarstiõppe kvaliteedi rahvusvaheline hindamine 2015
• Poikalainen, V.; Kokin, E.; Veermäe, I.; Praks, J.; Aland, A. 2013. Automatic dairy cow welfare monitoring – the current situation
• Aland, A.; Banhazi T. 2013. Livestock housing: Modern management to ensure optimal health and welfare of farm animals
• Aland, A. 2013. Aastapäevad kui teetähised
• Arney, D.; Aland, A. 2012. Humane transport and slaughter of farm animals
• Arney, D.; Aland, A. 2012. Contemporary issues in farm animal housing and management - cattle housing and welfare
• Reintam, E.; Moor, U.; Starast, M.; Laatsit, T.; Kiiman, H.; Järv, E.; Aland, A.; Parol, A.; Tuvi, E.-L.; Kask, K.; Luik, M.; Käis, L. 2012. Erialase eesti keele õppematerjal põllu- ja aiasaaduste tootmise erialade muukeelsetele üliõpilastele. Peatükid:taimede morfoloogia; taimeraku ehitus, fotosüntees, taimede hingamine, taimede kasv ja areng, taimede paljundamine, taimekahjustajad
• Pavlenko, A.; Bergsten, C.; Ekesbo, I.; Kaart, T.; Aland, A.; Lidfors, L. 2011. Influence of digital dermatitis and sole ulcer on dairy cow behaviour and milk production
• Kaasik, A.; Maasikmets, M.; Aland, A. 2011. Concentrations of airborne particulate matter, ammonia and carbon dioxide in large scale uninsulated loose housing cowsheds in Estonia
• Poikalainen, V.; Praks, J.; Veermäe, I.; Aland, A.; Vallas, M. 2011. Automatic lameness detection of dairy cows at the feed barrier by leg weight distribution 
• Aland, A.; Noordhuizen, J.; da Silva, J. C. 2011. Diagnostilised hindamisvisiidid tiinestumisprogrammi realiseerimiseks piimafarmis
• Poikalainen, V.; Praks, J.; Kokin, E.; Aland, A.; Veermäe, I.; Peets, S.; Ahokas, J.; Pastell, M.; Hautala, M.; Berckmans, D.; Bahr, C.; Miljkovic, D. 2010. Elaboration of basic methods for automatic analysis of cows’ gait
• Pavlenko, A.; Kaart, T.; Poikalainen, V.; Lidfors, L.; Aland, A. 2010. The influence of housing system on dairy cows' behaviour
• Aland, A.; Noordhuizen, J.; da Silva, J. C. 2010. Piimakarjafarmide inspekteerimine kui toimiva veterinaarse karja tervise ja tootmiskorraldusliku programmi osa

• Getya, A.; Matvieiev, M.; Hryshchenko, N.; Åsbjer, E.; Staaf Larsson, B.; Karlsson, A.; Wie, H.; Zamaratskaia, G.; Kravchenko, O.; Usenko, S.; Kocina, I.; Ansone, L.; Ribikauskas, V.; Khalilova, I.; Mammadov, A.; Ojaghi, J.; Arney, D.R.; Leming, R.; Carnovale, F. 2023. The attitudes of Ukrainian consumers toward animal welfare
• Carnovale, F.; Marcone, G.; Serrapica, F; Lambiase, C.; Sabia, E.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G. 2023. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Goats
• Altieri, D.; Biffani, S.; Goméz Carpio, M.; Carnovale, F.; R., Dario; G., Yuri; Di Palo, R. 2023. Preliminary investigation on stayability in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G.; Napolitano, F. 2022. A simple method for on-farm evaluation of sheep welfare using animal-based indicators
• Carnovale, F.; Xiao, J.; Shi, B.; Arney, D.; Descovich, K.; Phillips, C. J. C. 2022. Gender and Age Effects on Public Attitudes to, and Knowledge of, Animal Welfare in China
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G.; Napolitano, F.. 2022. Relevance of animal-based indicators for the evaluation of sheep welfare as perceived by different stakeholders
• Carnovale, F.; Viinalass, H.; Arney, D. 2022. Sustainable adaptation of Estonian livestock production to climate change
• Carnovale, F.; Xiao, J.; Shi, B.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D.; Phillips, C. 2021. The Effects of Vehicle Type, Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Feeding on the Welfare of Sheep Transported in Low Temperatures
• Marcone, G.; Carnovale, F.; Arney, D.; De Rosa, G.; Napolitano, F. 2021. Animal-based indicators for the evaluation of sheep welfare on-farm
• Carnovale, F.; Phillips, C. J. C. 2021. The Effects of Heat Stress on Sheep Welfare during Live Export Voyages from Australia to the Middle East
• Carnovale, F. 2021. Problems of sheep transport in hot and cold climates, contextualizing this with impacts on human wellbeing
• Carnovale, F.; Jin, X.; Arney, D.; Descovich, K.; Guo, W.; Shi, B.; Phillips, C. J. C. 2020. Chinese Public Attitudes towards, and Knowledge of, Animal Welfare
• Carnovale, F. 2018. Qualitative Behaviour Assessment in Animals Transport

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  Soonberg, M. 2021. Piimalehmade grupeerimine soodustab agressiooni ja sõprussuhete lagunemist
• Soonberg, M.; Kass, M.; Kaart, T.; Barraclough, R.; Haskell, M. J.; Arney, D. R. 2021. Effect of grouping on behaviour of dairy heifers and cows in the transition period
• Soonberg, M.; Kaart, T.; Arney, D. 2019. How does changing the feeding bin affect cows’ behaviour?
• Soonberg, M.; Kass, M.; Kaart, T.; Leming, R.; Arney, D. 2018. Additional concentrates do not affect feeding times of cows, but social positions of cows do
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2015. How does cows' activity change after feeding bin change
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2015. The Effects of High and Low Concentrate Feeding on Dairy Cows' Feeding Behaviour
• Soonberg, M.; Arney, D. 2014. Dairy cow behaviour at individual feeding bins, can we estimate intakes from behavioural observations?

Small Ruminant Technologies (Sm@rtlink opens in new page) is a thematic network which aims to develop a long-term, self-sustainable European/International network to encourage the use of PLF and digital technologies across the small ruminant sector. The project aims to improve understanding, awareness and uptake of the different technologies currently available to the small ruminant sector and further to facilitate "solutions to needs" and identification of technology gaps. 

Lifting Farm Animal Lives (LIFT) is a COST Action project which gives background to include positive welfare in farm animal welfare assessment. Its aims are to define positive animal welfare and clarify its concepts, identify valid approaches to assess positive animal welfare and to select methods suitable for on-farm use and provide recommendations for the inclusion of aspects of positive welfare in farm animal welfare assessment schemes. 

Sustainable Adaptation of Livestock Production to Climate Change (LIVECLIClink opens in new page) is related to environment and effort to mitigate against climate change. The aim of the project is to develop training courses for farmers, members of cooperative associations and for food business operators in order to raise their awareness of the necessity of planning for sustainable growth. And to strengthen the competences of specific professionals in the agri-food sector. Consumer organizations are targeted also as one of the project aim is to enable behavioural changes  for individual preferences, and changes in consumption habits and lifestyles including aspects such as reduction of food waste. 

The HAnimiSPAC project is about animal welfare in the Baltic Sea region and in the Eastern Pertnership countries. The goal is to strengthen the exchange of experience at the macro-regional level, the joint development of practices, methodology and internationalization potential within the framework of higher education and scientific research.

The Data Driven Dairy Decisions for Farmers (4D4Flink opens in new page) thematic network will focus on the role which dairy animal and environmental sensors can play in collecting real time information to help make more informed decisions in dairy farming. The network will develop a Community of Practice (COP) comprised of farmers, farm advisors, technology suppliers, knowledge exchange professionals and researchers who will work together to debate, collect and communicate best practice drawn from innovative farmers, industry and the research community to facilitate the co-creation of best practice.

From January 28th to January 31st the International Society for Applied Ethology Nordic branch Winter meeting was held at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. The aim of the meeting was to present and discuss work on a wide range of animal welfare topics, including farm, companion, laboratory and zoo and wild animals. Participants, in addition to Estonia, were from Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Norway and Finland. In total 30 participants. The topic of the first day was zoo animal welfare with invited speakers Dr Geoff Hosey from the University of Bolton and Lea Tummeleht from the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The first part of the second day was dedicated to laboratory animals with Adrian Smith from Norecopa. He talked about to the planning of the design for animal studies. The second part of second day was dedicated to farm animal welfare with Harry Blokhuis. Kadri Kaugerand from Ministry of Rural Affairs and Hele-Mai Sammel from the Veterinary and Food Board, who talked about animal welfare legislation and its enforcement in Estonia. The topic of the last day was companion animal welfare, in particular dog behaviour and welfare and how this should be protected during animal assisted interventions. Invited speakers in this session were Profs. Lena Lidfors and Björn Forkman. The proceedings of the meeting can be found herelink opens in new page. 

On March 12^th 2019 BAWN seminar about antibiotics use took place in Tartu, Estonia. Target groups are veterinarians and veterinary students.

Antibiotic Stewardship (ASP) is a tool in daily clinical work to decrease the use of antibiotics and thereby countering antibiotic resistance. In veterinary medicine ASP is a new field with great possibilities for interested clinicians to be a part of the joined battle against antibiotic resistance. Working with farm animals other approaches on both herd and individual level need to be considered. Sweden has great experience in working with animal health and welfare, preventing disease and lower the use of antibiotics, in what is called “The Swedish model”. Speakers are Stine Hoelgaard, DVM, Evidensia Specialist Animal Hospital in Helsingborg, Ditte Ljungquist, DVM, Evidensia Specialist Animal Hospital in Helsingborg and Ylva Persson, DVM, PhD, National Veterinary Institute and Växa Sweden. 

On September 13^th 2018 the Baltic Animal Welfare Network together with the Ministry of Agriculture in Riga hosted a seminar about farm animal welfare and fitness for transportation and slaughter, carried out with financial support from the Swedish Institute. 105 participants from seven countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark) took part in the seminar. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture opened the seminar and welcomed the participants. Representatives from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania talked about welfare problems around transport and slaughter in their home countries. The Seminar continued with presentations from Swedish and Norwegian speaker about assessment of fitness for transport and slaughter, handling of animals not fit for transport or slaughter, humane slaughter at farm level, legislation and food safety during on farm slaughter. There was also a presentation about DISA, free educational material on the web about humane slaughter and killing of animals http://disa.slu.se/E_index_Disa.shtmllink opens in new page

Click here for presentations (PDF):

Evaluation of the fitness of animals for tranportlink opens in new page

Slaughterhouses and veterinarianslink opens in new page

Food safety during on farm slaughterlink opens in new page

Animal welfare during slaughter or killing of cattle at farm levellink opens in new page