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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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A strategic analysis of slaughterhouses and animal transportation in Sweden
- 2012
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In: Network analysis and optimization of animal transports. Thesis. - 9789175199399 ; :Dissertation No. 1434
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The number of slaughterhouses in Sweden has decreased over time. Fewer slaughterhouses are expected to affect the transport time for animals and as a consequence animal welfare. We have analyzed the transportto-slaughter system, for pigs and cattle, using transport-data from 2008, geographical information for slaughterhouses and farms, and actual route distances between facilities. We made a strategic analysis of the existing slaughterhouses and tested the impact of numbers decreasing further. With strategic planning the potential reduction of transport distance is 25% for pigs and 40% for cattle. About 50% of the slaughterhouses in Sweden could be closed down with small effect on the total transport work. This implies that for the national total animal welfare which animals are sent where, is much more important than the number of slaughterhouses. However for the welfare (transport time and distance) of the animals in long transports number of slaughterhouses (regular or mobile) is important. Animal welfare weights of distances in the objective function decreases the amount of transports with long route times. We have investigated where in Sweden it would be beneficial to use mobile slaughterhouses. Animals are usually not sent to closest slaughterhouse; we show how slaughterhouse capacity must change if that transport strategy was applied.
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- Algers, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Animal health safety of fresh meat derived from pigs vaccinated against classic swine fever
- 2009
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In: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Classical swine fever (CSF) is a disease that has been causing major socio-economic damages in the EU during the last decades. Although considerable progress has been made in the eradication and prevention of the disease, the threat for an epidemic still exists. The measures to control and eradicate CSF are laid down in Community legislation (Council Directive 2001/89/EC and Commission Decision 2002/106/EC) and are based on stamping-out when CSF is confirmed on pig holdings. Emergency vaccination with 'conventional' live attenuated vaccine or marker vaccine can be used as an additional tool to control and eradicate the disease. In order to support and to improve the control and eradication measures as regards CSF in domestic pigs, EFSA was requested by the Commission to provide scientific advice on the safety of fresh meat (freedom from field virus) derived from vaccinated pigs. Specifically, two terms of reference were given: a) what is the risk that wild-type CSF virus is present in fresh meat obtained from pigs vaccinated in an emergency situation during an outbreak?; and b) what are the sampling schemes and testing procedures needed to detect field virus in fresh meat derived from such vaccinated pigs? Two types of vaccines are currently authorised in the EU for CSF: - A modified live vaccine (MLV, C-strain), which is safe and efficacious, inducing early protection; - An E2 subunit vaccine (E2subV, marker), safe, allowing serological DIVA, but with lower efficacy than MLV. The usefulness of emergency vaccination in order to limit disease spread and avoid excessive culling and economic damages remains to be evaluated. Very limited data related to the presence of CSFV in fresh meat have been generated after the implementation of a non-vaccination strategy. Therefore, a simulation modelling approach was developed to assess the risk of emergency vaccination on the safety of meat compared to the current control of CSF in domestic pigs without vaccination. CSFV is relatively stable in fresh meat and resists the maturation process in meat. Depending on the strain virulence, the age and breed, infected pigs die rapidly or may recover or can develop chronic infections. Viraemia is variable in duration and degree but it is always linked to the spread of virus to other body tissues including skeletal muscles (meat). The risk scenario includes two events that must happen before an infected animal is slaughtered and infected meat released: an infected herd has to escape clinical diagnosis before lifting of restrictions and during the final screening such a herd is not detected due to sample selection or false negative laboratory tests. Three scenarios were evaluated through the model: 1. Stamping-out of CSF detected as infected herds, standstill and pre-emptive culling. 2. Stamping-out of CSF detected as infected herds, standstill and emergency vaccination assuming a rapid protection. 3. Same as 2 but assuming a slower protection and DIVA property. It was concluded from the model that none of the strategies could reduce the risk to absolute zero. Lifting of restrictions can only occur after a certain time span (longer than the viraemic period of infected animals) after the last outbreak, thus the number of virus-positive animals in vaccinated infected herds at lifting will be very small. The model indicated that there is a lower risk of virus in fresh meat after emergency vaccination around outbreaks compared to the conventional strategy including pre-emptive culling, provided that control measures are adjusted to the applied vaccine and test systems. Adjustments may for instance include size of vaccination area, sampling schemes and timing of lift-up of restrictions. Any non-compliance of control measures will increase the risk of infectious animals remaining after lift-up. Chronically infected pigs are a potential hazard for fresh meat. However, in the risk assessment it was assumed that chronically infected pigs will be identified either by clinical signs and/or laboratory tests. Clinical diagnosis is unreliable and laboratory confirmation is needed. Highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assays are available to diagnose CSF. Agent detection tests are more suitable during early stages of infection. A positive rRT-PCR diagnosis indicates that an animal has been infected with the wild type or MLV virus but it is not necessarly still infectious. Antibody detection tests are mainly suitable for monitoring and surveillance purposes, but not for early diagnosis of suspect cases. Concerning the efficiency of the monitoring scheme, it is directly related to the diagnostic systems applied (organ sample, sensitivity, specificity) and to the number of samples taken. In case of selecting samples for rRT-PCR based on fever measurement in vaccinated animals, the sample size should be corrected. In terms of overall efficiency, rRT-PCR for virus detection and ELISA-systems for antibody investigation are the tests of choice. Vaccinated animals, that at an appropriate lift-up time are tested rRT-PCR negative for the wild type virus, can be considered as “zero risk” animals. If only a few animals become infected in a herd, which is possible especially when vaccination is applied, sampling and testing only a proportion of the animals may result in not detecting such an outbreak
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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Animal welfare - recent developments in the field
- 2011
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In: Cab Reviews: Perspectives In Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition And Natural Resources. - 1749-8848. ; 6, s. 1-10
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Animal welfare science has engaged in the studies of how mainly farm animals, but to a lesser extent also sport and pet animals and laboratory animals, are affected by various environmental factors. With philosophers engaging in animal welfare it became obvious that animal welfare cannot be properly improved without addressing ethical values. A new trend in animal welfare research is to focus on animal-based measures of welfare, making use of positive emotions as measures of good animal welfare and a multidisciplinary approach to the subject of animal welfare. In order to help risk managers to set appropriate priorities, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has taken on the task of developing a risk assessment methodology for animal welfare. In the last decade, the engagement in animal welfare has led to two international bodies working globally to bring on the subject of animal welfare as one of their areas of responsibility. It can be concluded that animal welfare research has developed from merely studies on changes in behaviour and physiological parameters to also include studies of affective states. Research has become more interdisciplinary and often social sciences are part of such research. Animal welfare has become a factor to consider for legislation and international trade
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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Applied ethology in the EU: development of animal welfare standards and actions
- 2016
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In: Animals and us: 50 years and more of applied ethology. - The Netherlands : Wageningen Academic Publishers. - 9789086862825 ; , s. 155-173
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Why does the European Union bother about animal welfare? How did applied ethology come to play such an important role when animal welfare was to be measured and assessed? And was it disputed? Is it still disputed? A breakthrough in the EU for animal welfare and also for applied ethology, was the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, stating that the EU's member states are supposed to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals. However, there were differences of opinion on the priority to be given to animal welfare in the political sphere. As a result, the EU took the initiative to further develop animal welfare regulations in Europe. The development of farming practices, with increasing scientific evidence of poor welfare associated with many housing, management and genetic factors caused more and more concern among citizens but also in production chains and retailers. A new trend in animal welfare research developed, involving animal based measures of welfare, making use of positive emotions as measures of good animal welfare and employing a multidisciplinary approach to the subject of animal welfare. The WelfareQuality® project aimed to accommodate societal concerns and market demands, to develop reliable on-farm monitoring systems, product information systems, and practical species-specific strategies to improve animal welfare. Internationally, a consensus is being sought by traders as well as competent authorities on animal welfare regarding what consideration should be given to animal protection and welfare in global trade. This chapter presents the scenario for when animal welfare became an issue for politicians, how applied ethology became a recognised science in the EU and why applied ethology plays a major role in the assessment of animal welfare. It also presents EU activities in developing standards, methodologies and awareness raising activities where applied ethology plays a key role.
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- Algers, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of "dead on arrival" in poultry
- 2009
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In: Assessment of animal welfare measures for layers and broilers. - 1902647793 ; 9:9, s. 63-65
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 10. |
- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Assessment of key parameters for gunshot used on cattle: a pilot study on shot placement and effects of diverse ammunition on isolated cattle heads
- 2014
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In: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 479-489
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There have been many improvements regarding transport conditions, pre-slaughter handling, and captive-bolt stunning of cattle at commercial abattoirs, but many challenges still exist. Animals unaccustomed to human-animal contact, such as free-range beef cattle, may be especially difficult to handle on the day of slaughter. Shifting of the slaughter process from the abattoir to the animals' familiar environment could improve animal welfare at slaughter. In 2011, the German government passed an amendment allowing farmers to slaughter free-range cattle, on-farm, using a rifle. A proper stun is vital when employing this method but neither sufficient practical experience nor scientific knowledge are in place to allow this. Thus, this study aimed to examine shot placement and the effect of diverse ammunition by means of shooting at cattle heads, post mortem, with a rifle. Impact was assessed using brain tissue damage observed from skull dissections. Placing the shot frontally at the forehead resulted in severe brain damage significantly more frequently than targeting laterally. A precise frontal shot, utilising both large and small bore calibres, caused severe brain damage that would almost certainly have led to immediate unconsciousness and death. One of the small bore calibres caused minimal brain damage apart from the trajectory. However, this was the only calibre not passing straight through. Due to the fact that the bullet remains within the skull, thus transferring all of its energy to the skull and brain, the impact of this calibre on the brain would also be expected to be rapidly fatal. A projectile that does not exit the skull would also be advantageous as regards safety.
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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Assessment of stun quality after gunshot used on cattle: a pilot study on effects of diverse ammunition on physical signs displayed after the shot, brain tissue damage and brain haemorrhages
- 2017
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In: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 95-109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Moving the slaughter process from the abattoir to the animals' familiar environment has the potential to reduce pre-mortal stressors to a minimum and contribute considerably to improved animal welfare at slaughter. On-farm stunning and killing of free-range cattle via gunshot became legal in Germany in November 2011, including for commercial sale of the meat. As an effective stun is essential for maintaining animal welfare until the animal dies, the goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of delivering an instantaneous and deep stun by an accurate frontal gunshot at cattle. Thirty free-range cattle (Galloway, German Angus) were shot with five different combinations of rifles and bullets. A stun-quality protocol was developed to assess musculoskeletal, optical and respiratory signs displayed after the shot. Key signs, such as failure to collapse, corneal reflex, spontaneous blinking, eyeball rotation or eyeball movement, distinct vocalisation and rhythmic breathing were not evident in 29 of the 30 cattle. Dissections of the heads were used to detect penetration depth of the projectile as well as evaluate brain tissue damage and brain haemorrhage caused by the shot. Tissue damage was marginal and not related to the ascertained level of stun quality. Brain haemorrhages assumed to be sufficient for causing a deep stun were detected in 25 out of 30 cattle. Accurate shot placement turned out to be more important than the application of a certain calibre. However, it was considered crucial for safety reasons that the projectile should remain within the cranial cavity. As long as there are high levels of accuracy, gunshot was considered to be an effective stunning method with the potential of maintaining high standards of animal welfare until death occurs.
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- Algers, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Control and eradication of classic swine fever in wild boar
- 2009
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In: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Classical swine fever (CSF) is a disease that has been causing major socio-economic damages in the EU during the last decades. Although considerable progress has been made in the eradication and prevention of the disease, the threat for an epidemic still exists. The virus is endemic in the wild boar population of several member states (MS). Wild boar cannot be managed as domestic pigs. Hunting and vaccination have been tentatively used in order to stop transmission by reducing the number of susceptibles. Oral vaccination of wild boar with modified live vaccine based on the C-strain (the only suitable) is used; this vaccine does not allow serological differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals. The aim of the control measures for CSF in wild boar is to reduce the risk of transmission to domestic pigs, to prevent an “endemic phase evolution” or to reduce the endemic phase duration. In order to support and to improve the control and eradication measures as regards CSF in wild boar, EFSA was requested by the Commission to provide scientific advice on the efficacy of the available surveillance, hunting and vaccination measures to control and eradicate CSF in feral pig populations (wild boar), considering the possible use of new diagnostic tests and vaccines. In order to reply to the mandate data were collected from MS through two questionnaires (CSF vaccines, hunting practices and CSF vaccination in wild boar). Data were also extracted from the EU CSF wild boar data base, after requesting permission from the participating MS. Considering that the data received were rather limited and not comparable, the WG decided to use a model in order to fill the gaps in the available knowledge. For the evaluation of the efficacy of CSF control in wild boar a continuous metapopulation compartmental model developed in an EU research project (FP6-5015599-CSFVACCINE&WILDBOAR) was applied. Although the disease manifests in the same manner in both domestic pig and wild boar it is more difficult to identify in wild boar because clinical monitoring of these is hardly possible. Wild boar found dead constitutes the main alert sign of CSF. Hunters and gamekeepers should be instructed to report the finding of each dead wild boar to the competent authority at all times. In case of high-risk situations, a passive surveillance should be complemented by an active serological surveillance. The active sampling of wild boar is not as efficient as in domestic pigs considering that hunting is the sole practical system to obtain samples and that the aim of hunting is quite different. Consequently, the sample size is not controlled by authorities and fits rarely the aim of the survey in terms of detecting the presence of disease at a certain level. In addition, the interpretation of serological results is confounded by maternal derived antibodies (until the 6th month of age), vaccination and the sampling quality. There is no definition at EU level of spatial and temporal units for surveillance, neither for criteria defining a disease free wild boar population. The sample size is not the only factor that dictates the overall sensitivity of surveillance systems. Indeed, wild boar habitat, hunting patterns, and disease distribution should be included when assessing surveillance system sensitivity. After a vaccination campaign, PCR positive animals can be due to modified live vaccines (MLV) but these MLV-vaccinated animals can be cross-checked for wild type CSF virus (genetic DIVA – discriminatory PCR). A positive PCR diagnosis should be considered to indicate that an animal is or has been infected with the wild type or MLV virus but it is not necessarly still infectious. According to previous field experience and to model simulations of a CSF epidemic in a wild boar population and the possible outcomes regarding vaccination: the disease will fade out without any additional control measures in small populations (between 1000 and 1500); hunting is not efficient for CSF control and should not exceed the normal 45% per year. Hunting is currently needed for sampling; vaccination: increases population immunity progressively. The maximum population immunity is only reached after three double campaigns; by one isolated campaign cannot increase population immunity adequately to control CSF and might even aggravate the persistence of CSF; mainly prevents the spread of the infection in neighbouring vaccinated patches; promotes long-term eradication through a progressive reduction of virus transmission to neighbouring areas; always reduces the epidemic peak (number of infected animals/time). Endemic evolution of infection may occur when a low rate of vaccination is achieved; in both infected and not yet infected areas, reaching a minimum target of 40 % of susceptible animals is necessary to obtain a positive control effect, below 20% - will increase probability of endemic stability, above 60% - will always eradicate the infection
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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Ett levande museum i Skara
- 2021
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In: Svensk Veterinärtidning. - 0346-2250. ; 73, s. 44-44
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
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- Algers, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Influence of crate height during slaughter transport on the welfare of male turkeys
- 2012
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In: British Poultry Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0007-1668 .- 1466-1799. ; 53, s. 414-420
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 1. Poultry are usually transported in crates which provide the birds with very limited space. Slaughter transport of male turkeys is often carried out using crates that are 40 cm or less in height where it is not possible for them to stand up. There is little information on how this physical restriction over many hours affects the birds. 2. The aim of the study was to compare the welfare of male turkeys transported in crates 40 cm and 55 cm in height. Observations on the birds' behaviour during lairage, carcass damage and meat quality were carried out after four commercial slaughter transport journeys. 3. Birds in 40 cm crates panted more and lay down more than birds in 55 cm crates during lairage. A large percentage of the carcasses had some damage. Significantly more birds from the 55 cm crates had scratches on their backs than birds from the 40 cm crates. There was no significant difference in meat quality between birds transported in the two crate heights. 4. Both positive and negative effects of increased crate height were established and there is no evidence from this study that merely increasing crate height improves turkey welfare. Other solutions should therefore be sought in order to improve the welfare of birds during transport.
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- Algers, Bo
(author)
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Inför knorrpeng nu
- 2012
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In: Svensk Veterinärtidning. - 0346-2250. ; No vol., s. 50-51
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
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