The cold European winter of 2005-2006 assisted the spread and persistence of H5N1 influenza virus in wild birds.

In January 2006, a major cold spell affected Europe, coinciding with an increase of H5N1 influenza virus detected in wild birds, mostly dead mute swans, starting along the River Danube and the Mediterranean coast line. Subsequently H5N1 detections in wild birds were concentrated in central and western parts of Europe, reaching a peak in mid February. We tested the hypothesis that the geographic distribution of these H5N1 infections was modulated by the long-term wintering line, the 0 °C isotherm marking the limit beyond which areas are largely unsuitable for wintering waterfowl. Given the particularly cold 2005-2006 European winter, we also considered the satellite-derived contemporary frost conditions. This brought us to select the long-term maximum rather than the mean January 0 °C isotherm as the best approximation for the 2005-2006 wintering line. Our analysis shows that H5N1 detection sites were closer to the wintering line than would be expected by chance, even when the geographic distribution of water bird wintering sites was accounted for. We argue that partial frost conditions in water bodies are conducive to bird congregation, and this may have enhanced H5N1 transmission and local spread. Because the environmental virus load also would build up in these hot spots, H5N1 virus may have readily persisted during the spring, at least in cooler areas. We conclude that H5N1 introduction, spread, and persistence in Europe may have been enhanced by the cold 2005-2006 winter.

[Laying hen maintenance in the future--the Proposal of the Commission for a Council Directive setting minimum standards for the protection of laying hens under various rearing systems]. / Legehennenhaltung der Zukunft--der Vorschlag der Kommission für eine Richtlinie des Rates über Mindestanforderungen zum Schutz von Legehennen in verschiedenen Haltungssystemen.

A prognostic of the keepingsystems of laying hens in the future is done on the basis of the conclusions in the Report on the Welfare of Laying Hens made by the Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Commission and the Commission's Proposal for a Council Directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing. The present discussions in the Councils are reported. It is quite evident, that various keepingsystems will also exist in the future, but the predominant position of battery cages will not stay at that level.

[Voluntary testing procedures of farm animal housing equipment according to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998]. / Freiwilliges Prüfverfahren für Stalleinrichtungen entsprechend dem novellierten Tierschutzgesetz von 1998.

Before its broad application in practice, housing equipment should be tested, in particular with regard to animal welfare. The differing positions of the German Federal Council (Bundesrat) and the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag), whether such testing should be mandatory or voluntary, have been conciliated in the amended animal welfare act by empowering the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (BML) to fix official standards for voluntary testing procedures by regulation. On request of the BML, a report as scientific basis for a draft regulation is currently prepared by the scientific animal welfare committee of the German Agricultural Society (DLG). The scientific animal welfare committee has been appointed by the DLG in order to provide support in the effort to strengthen animal welfare aspects in the DLG-utility testing procedure of housing equipment, which is in place since 1953. The committee elaborates standards concerning testing methods, assessment criteria and the necessary size of investigations. As required, the scientific animal welfare committee may support the DLG-testing bodies in the implementation of the animal welfare part of the testing procedure. It will, moreover, be involved in the welfare assessment based on the testing results. The amendments of the already established testing procedure will help to fulfill the general requirements on an acceptable animal welfare testing procedure. While keeping in mind that there are certain limits in what can be achieved by a voluntary testing procedure, the enhanced consideration of animal welfare aspects within the DLG-utility testing procedure has the advantage to be relatively unbureaucratic and in line with EU legislation, and is, therefore, an appropriate tool for a contibrution to improved animal welfare in livestock housing.

[Limits of infinite animal welfare in the internal market of the European community]. / Grenzen des grenzenlosen Tierschutzes im EG-Binnenmarkt.

The European Communities are, above all, economically oriented. Thus, as animal protection is concerned, EC legislation is only realized to an amount that ensures a smooth functioning of the internal market. In this sense, animal protection with in EC finds its limits in the Treaty of Rome rather than could be called "borderless". Nevertheless, a deterioration of the now existing level of animal protection in the Federal Republic of Germany should not be feared due to increasing European integration. Every member state still has the prerogative to issue more strict regulations than the minimum requirements of the EC.

[The logical basis in the sense of section 17 number 1 of the Animal Welfare Act]. / Der vernünftige Grund im Sinne des section 17 Nr. 1 des Tierschutzgesetzes.

Since 1972 in Germany it is not allowed to kill vertebrates without a "reasonable reason". This is laid down in article 17 (1) of the Animal Protection Act. This theme--killing of animals--is one of the taboos in our society. The legislative background of killing vertebrates in regard to the "reasonable reason" is reported. Examples are given to illustrate the range of "reasonable reasons" for which animals are killed today.

[Animal welfare aspects of animal slaughter]. / Tierschutzrechtliche Aspekte des Schlachtens von Tieren.

For many years animal welfare aspects of slaughtering were not discussed. But in the last ten years the research has much increased in this field. The new knowledges will be taken in account in national and european legislation. The question if ritual slaughtering without pre-slaughter stunning has to be allowed, was answered by the amendment of the Animal Welfare Act: This form of slaughtering is now only allowed in the context of constitutional guaranteed religious liberty.