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The sustainability of your business depends, among other things, on you responding positively to marketplace trendsand grasping new opportunities. Consumers globally areincreasing their demand for animal welfare assurances intheir food supply. Meeting these demands is not only goodfor the animals involved, but also greatly enhances animalproduction and business efficiency. Animal welfare is first and foremost important for the animal.Livestock can feel, experience, and suffer. However, animalwelfare is also important for commercial reasons, bothdirectly, by increasing a business's overall sustainability, andindirectly, by addressing society's expectations of howanimals should be treated and how food should be produced.High standards of animal welfare can thus enable your business toenhance business efficiency and profitabilitymeet consumer expectationssatisfy domestic and international markets
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Creating Business Opportunitythrough Improved
A W nimal elfare
Disease causes considerable suffering to animals. An IFC clientwas producing healthy birds from their breeding operation, butwith insufficient immunity to cope with the disease challenges onthe contract growing farms. This resulted in birds succumbing tovirus and bacterial infectionwith a resultant 9% mortality.There was also a significantbuildup of secondary E coliinfection that caused severehock weakness problems.The company realized thatthe economic consequencesof this were the loss of large birds through the high late-growthmortality, a significant deterioration in feed conversion, and anincrease in downgrades in the processing plant. The benefits of changing the vaccination program and improving farmmanagement were estimated to be worth more than $10 millionper annum. A powerful example of how a sustainable businessapproach to health and welfare can have a direct impact on thefinancial bottom line.
Case Study 1:Improving Animal Health
Why Animal Welfare is Important to Your BusinessEnhancing Business Efficiency 
Improving the efficiency of animal production, or reducingany losses, can enhance future profitability, as well as ensurethat your business remains viable.1) Poor interactions between people and animals are knownto limit both animal welfare and livestock productivity. Thecareful selection or education of stock handlers can thereforeimprove livestock productivity, growth and reproduction.Examples includeincreasing milk yield in dairy cows by enhancing themilking parlor environmentpromoting growth and reproduction among pigs byreducing the fear associated with human contact
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improving egg production in chickens through increasedvisual human contact2) Attention to animal welfare can also improve meat quality.For example, bruising can occur when stock are handled,loaded, transported and unloaded prior to slaughter, and duringslaughter. It can lead to down-grading of carcasses and lower quality cuts. For instancebruised meat (and the carcass) has a higher pH, and isconsidered unfit for human consumptionbruised chicken meat is more prone to microbialcontamination
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 Affluence in many parts of the world has increased consumer choicesand heightened expectations about food production standards,especially food safety and quality. Consumers also want to receiveassurances about how their animal-derived food is produced. Thisrising consumer concern is reflected in national and internationalrecommendations, codes and legislation which now focus on animalwelfare.In addition, many parts of the international food supply chain nowhave animal welfare assurance programs that are likely to influencelarge livestock producers in emerging markets. For instance, leadingmajor international food service retailers increasingly requiresuppliers to be guided by their animal welfare principles.These standards are helping to secure and maintain demand for products in welfare-sensitive markets. Thus, while they may in somecases mean an increase in production costs, these may be recoupedthrough market premiums. In addition to their individual programs,some food companies are working with restaurant and food marketinggroups to operate common programs.
 Meeting Consumer Expectations and Satisfying Markets
Case Study 2:Preserving Meat Quality 
 An IFC client was transporting birds from growout sheds to theslaughter house in crates. The birds were tipped from the crates to abelt that took the birds to the hanging line. Since the birds weretipped from 6 ft there was significant distress to the birds. In addition,there was damage (broken wings, bruising etc) that was causing 8%of birds to be downgraded. When the system was modified to reducestress, the reduction in downgrades was calculated to be worth$320,000 per annum. Pointing out the business case got quick actionto alleviating a welfare problem.
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Ensuring food products are safeOperating comprehensive quality assurance schemes that makegood business sense Adopting comprehensive animal welfare standards that ensureanimals are free from cruelty, abuse and neglectWorking together with suppliers and interest groups to ensurecompliance and continuous improvement of practices related toanimal welfareIndustry leadership through working with suppliers and animalwelfare expertsMonitoring performance objectives to ensure continued commitmentto improved animal welfareCommunicating animal welfare principles and performance
Evolving Approaches among InternationalFood Supply Companies:
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animals stressed prior to slaughter tend to have depleted glycogenstores in their muscles, which can result in meat that has a higher pH, is objectionably dark in color and prone to microbial spoilage
 
What is Animal Welfare?
In (1986; Br. Vet. J. 142:524-526),D.M. Broom provides the following definition: "the welfare of an animalis its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment." Thewelfare of an animal is therefore a reflection of its physical and mentalhealth and well-being. An animal in a poor state of welfare may suffer from pain, discomfort or distress, which may compromise its ability tosurvive and produce.Stockmanship, plus the training and supervision necessary to achieverequired standards, are key factors in the handling and care of livestock. A management system may be acceptable in principle, butwithout competent, diligent stockmanship, the welfare of animalscannot be adequately safeguarded.There are many ways to assess animal welfare ranging from behavior and health measurements to how productive animals are, to what theyprefer and choose.
Indicators of poor welfare
Five key principles have evolved with respect tohow animals should be treated and are increasingly accepted ascontributing to higher levels of productivity. Developed by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council, and widely known as the ‘Five Freedoms’, theyform part of animal welfare recommendations, policy and legislation inmany countries (see box).
 Animal Welfare, Human Welfare and Economic Development
 Animal welfare standards are based firmly on scientific knowledge andpractical experience. Nevertheless, specific needs of people and their cultural practices need to be accommodated during the implementationof animal welfare initiatives.Enhanced animal welfare is brought about by close liaison with a widerange of groups and organizations with an interest in animal welfare,and the needs of communities in developing countries. To be successfuland accepted over the long term, animal welfare objectives need to bebalanced with human economic development needs, while ensuringthey are aligned with recognized environmental and social guidelines.IFC is committed to developing good practices among our clients. Webelieve addressing animal welfare concerns will strengthen your business's long-term financial and economic viability, while at the sametime helping us to meet our social and environmental responsibilitiesand fulfill our mandate of promoting economic growth and reducingpoverty.In recognition of the wide range of stakeholder interests, IFC liaisesclosely with key international organizations, including the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the WorldVeterinary Association (WVA), the International Society for Applied
Why Animal Welfare is Important for IFC
1.2.3.4.5.
Freedom from hunger andthirst - by ready access tofresh water and a diet tomaintain full health andvigor Freedom from discomfort - by providing an appropriate environmentincluding shelter and a comfortable resting areaFreedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapiddiagnosis and treatmentFreedom to express normal behavior - by providing sufficient space,proper facilities and company of the animal's own kindFreedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions andtreatment which avoid mental suffering
Source: UK Farm Animal Welfare Council
The “Five Freedoms” of Animal Welfare
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