Access to bedding and outdoor runs for growing-finishing pigs: is it possible to improve welfare without increasing environmental impacts?

Providing bedding or access to an outdoor run are husbandry aspects intended to improve pig welfare, which is currently financially supported through animal welfare schemes in several European countries. However, they may significantly affect the environment through changes in feed efficiency and manure management. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to compare farms differing in animal welfare relevant husbandry aspects regarding (1) the welfare of growing-finishing pigs and (2) environmental impact categories such as global warming (GW), acidification (AC), and freshwater (FE) and marine eutrophication (ME), by employing an attributional Life Cycle Assessment. We collected data on 50 farms with growing-finishing pigs in seven European countries. Ten animal-based welfare indicators were aggregated into three pig welfare indices using principal component analysis. Cluster analysis of farms based on husbandry aspects resulted in three clusters: NOBED (31 farms without bedding or outdoor run), BED (11 farms with bedding only) and BEDOUT (eight farms with bedding and outdoor run). Pigs on farms with bedding (BED and BEDOUT) manipulated enrichment more often (P < 0.001), pen fixtures less frequently (P = 0.003) and showed fewer oral stereotypies (P < 0.001) than pigs on NOBED farms. There were fewer pigs with a short(er) tail on farms with than without bedding (P < 0.001). Acidification of BEDOUT and BED farms was significantly higher (compared to NOBED farms P = 0.002) due to higher ammonia emissions related to farmyard manure. Also, BEDOUT farms had higher ME than NOBED farms (P = 0.035). There were no significant differences regarding GW and FE between husbandry clusters, due to the large variability within clusters regarding feed composition and conversion. Therefore, both husbandry aspects associated with improved animal welfare have a significant influence on some environmental impacts, such as acidification and marine eutrophication. Nevertheless, the large variation within clusters suggests that trade-offs may be minimised through e.g. AC and ME.

Care of relatives following sudden infant death.

This paper deals with 301 families who have been offered a consultation for managing bereavement following sudden infant death. Eighty-eight percent of the parents (269 families) accepted and 36 more families out with Lower Saxony wished to be cared for. Without a previous autopsy 1.172 contacts happened from 1989 to 2003 comprising primary crisis intervention and long-term care, the latter including saying farewell before and after autopsy. One main aim was a close linking with the international self-help organization of parents (GEPS). Single cases conferences were carried out for more than five years according to the Sheffield model. There is given the methodical basis and many details of the care project.

[Psychosocial management of a new pregnancy after sudden infant death (SID)--results of a long-term study of 115 families]. / Psychosoziale Betreuung einer erneuten Schwangerschaft nach Plötzlichem Säuglingstod (SID)--Ergebnisse einer Langzeitstudie in 115 Familien.

BACKGROUND: Every subsequent pregnancy after the loss of a child due to Sudden Infant Death (SID) causes highly anxious parents. The aim of this investigation was to point out which feelings and experiences have to be considered as influencing factors for a following pregnancy--besides being afraid of a repeated loss. The overlapping fixing of our aim was to develop some proposals and recommendations for a capable accompanying during a subsequent pregnancy. MATERIALS: The base of the evaluation were 789 consultations during long-term cares of 115 families affected by Sudden Infant Death (SID). When their children died because of SID 9 of all the mothers were pregnant again. In the families which were cared for half-a-year or longer (n = 80), 47 (58.7%) subsequent pregnancies became known. All gravidities occurred within one year after SID except two cases. RESULTS: We found a strong exigency for information, structure and protection during the whole pregnancy. This fact can be deducted from a high potential of anxiety and fear within the parents. Furthermore, our investigation revealed considerable doubts of the mothers about their parental competence and altered, but still intensive affects of grief yet confidence and great joy as well. Besides, we also observed problematic social experiences, as e.g. hushing up of the dead child or a lacking acceptance of grief by the social environment. CONCLUSIONS: A supporting and reliefing accompanying during a subsequent pregnancy comprises a continuous enlightenment of parents by being honest and open even in giving unpleasant and burdensome informations. It is recommended to show understanding for the exceeding anxieties of the parents, to offer them more possibilities of examinations and conversations as usually appropriate and to talk to them about their dead child and grief. Often the arrangement of contact to a parent-self-help association is the essential offer of support.