Report Cruelty Donate

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

take action live sheep export alternate
Priority issue
Australia is closer than it has ever…
Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

featured media release sheep v2
Media release: No further delays on live sheep export phase out
Read the media release

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us

For individuals

For businesses

National events

An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

AWS24 Banner 1200x630
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2024
Through their eyes: Strengthening our…
Learn more

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
  1. Home
  2. Learn
  3. Animal Welfare Seminar
  4. RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2006

In 1965, the British government (UK Farm Animal Welfare Council) first introduced the concept of the ‘five freedoms' for animals, a set of principles that provide a basic framework for analysis of welfare within any animal production system. This was the first real attempt to define the key animal welfare requirements for livestock and has strongly influenced the direction of government policy on farm animal welfare across the world. However, with the more recent development of quality assurance or accreditation programs, questions have been asked about the practical application of the principles contained in the five freedoms. While the five freedoms provide the starting point for setting animal welfare standards, they do not provide sufficient detail for those assessing and auditing production systems. What are clearly needed are scientifically based animal welfare standards that provide sound guidance for animal producers.

The challenge to scientists is to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to developing such standards that encompasses concepts of animal behaviour, physiology, health and immunology. Research on food animals has traditionally focussed on how production levels can be increased. It has only been more recently that scientists have begun to investigate issues of behaviour and cognition in these species. In its 2006 Scientific Seminar, RSPCA Australia asked: What are the biological and behavioural needs of production animals? And how can farm animal welfare science give us greater insights to align husbandry and management practices to better suit those needs?

The Seminar tackled these important questions through an examination of the traits and characteristics of common production animals using recent research examples and specific behavioural case studies. The Seminar demonstrated how increasing our understanding of livestock can improve husbandry practices for the benefit of both animals and producers.

Proudly Supported By
Download program
subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.