# data[].attributes.headline
The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 information on housing of animals

# data[].attributes.subject
The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 information on housing of animals

# data[].attributes.body
Ethan bates.
Key points on the importance of animal housing standards

# data[].attributes.body
Housing of animals (science.rspca.org.uk)

# data[].attributes.body
These are key points on housing of animals

# data[].attributes.body
https://science.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/researchanimals/ethicalreview/functionstasks/housingandcare

# data[].attributes.body
welfare of animals during transport
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/farm-animal-welfare-during-transportation

# data[].attributes.body
This article is about the welfare of animal transport

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This guidance is for England
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (implemented in England by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006) farmers transporting their own animals, by their own means of transport, for a distance of less than 50 km (about 31 miles) from their holding, must ensure that the animals are fit for the intended journey and that no person transports or causes animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering.

Those transporting animals in any other circumstances must, in addition to the above welfare requirements, carry an animal transport certificate (ATC). A transporter authorisation and certificate of competence are also necessary when transporting animals over a distance of 65 km (about 40 miles).

The Regulation applies to persons who transport live vertebrate animals within the European Union (EU), including farm livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, deer and horses) in connection with an economic activity (in other words, a business or trade).

The Regulation does not apply to the transport of animals when not in connection with an economic activity or to the transport of invertebrate animals. However, a general duty-of-care provision exists protecting invertebrates and animals involved in non-commercial movements from injury or unnecessary suffering.

Principal requirements

All persons who take animals on a journey, whatever the length, have a duty to ensure that the animals are transported in a way that is not likely to cause injury or undue suffering.

Farmers transporting their own animals, in their own means of transport, for a distance of less than 50 km from their holding or as part of transhumance (seasonal movement of livestock) must ensure that:

no person transports an animal or causes animals to be transported in a way that is likely to cause injury or undue suffering

all necessary arrangements have been made in advance to minimise the length of the journey and meet the animals' needs during the journey

the animals are fit for the journey

the means of transport (including the means of loading and unloading) is designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to avoid injury and suffering and ensure the safety of the animals

the personnel handling the animals are trained or competent in the transport of animals

the transport is carried out without delay and the welfare conditions of the animals checked during the journey

sufficient floor area and height is provided for the animals

the animals are watered / fed and rested at suitable intervals as necessary

Back to top
Documentation required

Persons transporting animals in any other circumstances must, in addition to the above requirements, carry documentation known as an animal transport certificate (ATC) in the vehicle stating the:

animals' origin and ownership

number and species of animals carried

place of departure

date and time of departure

intended place of destination

expected duration of the intended journey

A template form can be found on the GOV.UK website (scroll down to 'Animal transport certificates').

An animal movement document for sheep and goats (ARAMS-1) and pigs (eAML2 / haulier summary) may be used as an animal transport certificate for those animals providing all the sections on the form are completed. The ARAMS-1 form may be carried by the haulier as a paper copy, or as an electronic copy as long as it can be printed for an inspector during the journey if requested.

The information required should be completed at each stage of the journey and must be made available to an inspector if requested. The ATC must be kept by the transporter for six months after each journey.

Any person transporting animals over a distance of more than 65 km must also:

hold a 'transporter authorisation' issued by Defra

have received training in the handling of animals and obtained a certificate of competence

Livestock must always be identified in accordance with the relevant legislation, and species-specific documentation must accompany the animals during transport. For further information see our guidance relating to goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and horses.

Fitness of animals for transport

Animals must be fit for the intended journey before the journey starts and must remain sufficiently fit throughout the journey.If any animals do fall ill, they must be separated, given appropriate veterinary treatment and if necessary undergo emergency slaughter or killing in a way that does not cause them undue suffering.

Animals that are injured, weak or diseased must not be considered fit for transport, particularly if they:

are unable to move without pain, or to walk unassisted

have a severe open wound or prolapse

are pregnant females for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed, or they are females who have given birth in the previous week

are newborn mammals in which the navel has not healed

have been submitted to veterinary procedures in relation to farming practices such as dehorning or castration and the wounds have not completely healed

Sedatives must not be used on animals to be transported, unless under veterinary supervision.

Lactating females (cattle, sheep and goats) not accompanied by their offspring must be milked at intervals of not more than 12 hours.

Transport requirements for young animals

Pigs under three weeks old, lambs under one week old and calves under ten days old must not be transported, unless they are transported for a distance of less than 100 km (about 62 miles).

Appropriate bedding must be provided for:

piglets of less than 10 kg

lambs of less than 20 kg

calves less than six months old

The bedding material used must ensure adequate absorption of urine and faeces.

Personnel

An attendant must accompany the animals except where the driver performs the functions of an attendant.

Penalties

Failure to comply with trading standards law can lead to enforcement action and to sanctions, which may include a fine and/or imprisonment. For more information please see 'Trading standards: powers, enforcement & penalties'.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This guidance is for England Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (implemented in England by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006) farmers transporting their own animals, by their own means of transport, for a distance of less than 50 km (about 31 miles) from their holding, must ensure that the animals are fit for the intended journey and that no person transports or causes animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering.

# data[].attributes.body
5 freedoms poster 1

# data[].attributes.body
Emma https://science.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/researchanimals/ethicalreview/functionstasks/housingandcare

# data[].attributes.body
ethan bates
the importance pf animal housing and standards that need to be adhered too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been revised by a committee of experts, based on input from scientists and the public. The Guide incorporates recent research on commonly used species, including farm animals, and includes extensive references. It is organized around major components of animal use:

Institutional policies and responsibilities. The committee discusses areas that require policy attention: the role and function of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, protocols for animal care and use, occupational health and safety, personnel qualifications, and other areas.

Animal environment, husbandry, and management. The committee offers guidelines on how to design and run a management program, addressing environment, nutrition, sanitation, behavioral and social issues, genetics, nomenclature, and more.

Veterinary care. The committee discusses animal procurement and transportation, disease and preventive medicine, and surgery. The Guide addresses pain recognition and relief and issues surrounding euthanasia.

Physical plant. The committee identifies design and construction issues, providing guidelines for animal-room doors, drainage, noise control, surgery, and other areas.

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals provides a framework for the judgments required in the management of animal facilities-a resource of proven value, now updated and expanded. This revision will be important to researchers, animal care technicians, facilities managers, administrators at research institutions, policymakers involved in research issues, and animal welfare advocates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Read "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" at NAP.edu

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been revised by a committee of experts, based on input from scientists and the public. The Guide incorporates recent research on commonly used species, including farm animals, and includes extensive references.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A crossbreed dog had a very lucky escape after members of the public spotted he had been left tied up in the boot of a car on a sweltering June day.

Witnesses in a superstore car park saw he was in a distressed state. He was barking and panting heavily with drool around his mouth. Staff made attempts to reach the car owner via two PA announcements but the owner failed to return to the car that had been parked in direct sunlight. We were called along with the police for urgent assistance whilst bystanders squirted water into the car through the windows that had been left open an inch. The dog licked the water from cardboard that was lining the back of the car however it evaporated quickly due to heat within the car - highlighting the high temperature he was trapped in.

Police arrived and, following discussions with one of our officers, smashed the glass of the rear window. The car doors wouldn't open due to the central locking, so a police officer unclipped the dog from his collar and removed him through the broken window. The temperature was approximately 23 degrees outside - but had reached 55 degrees in a neighbouring vehicle, demonstrating how dangerous the situation was.

Dog's owner cared more about his car than his dog

When the dog's owner eventually returned to the vehicle he accepted no responsibility for the situation but was instead concerned about his car's broken window. He told police that this was the fourth time that people had spoken to him about leaving his dog in the car and he would have to find another supermarket to shop at where people would mind their own business. He argued that conditions were ok for a dog to be in a car and that it had been cooler earlier. Our inspector told him that his attitude was disgusting and that he had been lucky that his dog hadn't died.

Conclusive veterinary evidence determined he had suffered as a consequence of the ordeal. The episode caused the dog to suffer from hyperthermia, a condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal.

Our inspector said:

Case outcome

At court, the man pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his dog under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He was ordered to pay a £295 fine and £300 in costs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A crossbreed dog had a very lucky escape after members of the public spotted he had been left tied up in the boot of a car on a sweltering June day. Witnesses in a superstore car park saw he was in a distressed state. He was barking and panting heavily with drool around his mouth.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/man-who-laughed-dragged-shark-20079418

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-scotland-45487502

# data[].attributes.body
Cruelty towards sheep at UK abattoir
Sarah Christie

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sheep-abattoir-animal-cruelty-cctv-video-footage-wrexham-a9090551.html

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39042626

# data[].attributes.body
Emma Halliday https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/16/meat-imports-animal-welfare-standards

# data[].attributes.body
Laura Cuddy
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cruel-yobs-force-kitten-smoke-19463183

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
No charity has seen its public estimation plunge lower and faster than that of the RSPCA.

The country's biggest animal welfare charity with a royal title, 'is one of Britain's most complained about charities,' according to the Charity Commission. And now the RSPCA is under attack for its expenditure on prosecutions at the expense of rehoming animals and is accused of playing politics instead of focusing on animal welfare. Tomorrow the Tory MP Simon Hart is sponsoring a debate in the House of Commons on the role of the RSPCA as a prosecutor.

Is all this criticism fair? Well, you cannot have missed the woeful tales of the UK's homeless animals. Rescue centres across the country are overwhelmed with the furry, the feathered, the tailed and the lop eared who bring so much comfort and joy into our lives but find themselves the hapless victims of rogue owners. Unwanted and homeless the clock starts ticking from the moment they arrive and every passing day the odds against our animal friends stack up.

Many rescue centres have stopped accepting more strays or unwanted animals altogether simply because they haven't the room to house them. Most of them are young, healthy and there for reasons beyond their control like 'change of circumstances,' 'unsuitable,' or 'split up.' Synonyms for 'change of mind,' 'can't be bothered' or 'doesn't match the sofa.' Pets are discarded as readily as we throw out pieces of junk to free up some space. None of this is the RSPCA's doing.

But what is undeniably so heart breaking is the numbers destroyed every year. The RSPCA destroyed more than 53,000 animals last year, nearly half of all the animals it rescued, and thousands of these died simply for lack of space. And this is what outrages many people. Amidst destruction on this scale then, it could be understandable that the public find it hard to justify the eye watering £326,000 spent by the charity on prosecuting members of the Heythrop Hunt in Oxfordshire; money that some argue would surely have been better spent on saving the lives of the homeless. I too feel just as brokenhearted at the thought that we can do no better than extinguish these happy little lives as they are each led out, tails wagging and delighted to see someone at last.

Yet despite these tragic figures I stand by every penny spent by the RSPCA on prosecutions against animal abuse and applaud the 20% leap in convictions they secured last year. Holding people responsible for atrocious acts of animal cruelty is not only just and proper in itself but an essential part of any civilised society. Whether it's 'sportsmen' who get a kick out of ripping live foxes to shreds, youngsters microwaving their hamsters or the deliberate malicious suffering inflicted upon a horse, prosecutions reinforce the important message of zero tolerance towards animal cruelty.

Based upon a success rate of over 98% of prosecutions the RSPCA is evidently good at upholding the laws to prevent cruelty to animals. But why all the shock and hostility when the RSPCA is, after all, only doing what it says on the tin and fulfilling its commitment to the animals and the promise made to their supporters when they generously hand over hard earned cash. If not the RSPCA, who else do we see prepared to defend the most vulnerable who are unable to stand up for themselves? Animal abusers will get away with it, with whatever ensuing human directed crimes that may invoke, and the view that animals are mere 'things' to satisfy our wishes will remain entrenched in society.

It is no coincidence that the House of Commons debate tomorrow has been raised by ex-chief executive of the pro-hunting lobby group 'Countryside Alliance', following the recent successful prosecution of Heythrop Hunt - which predictably upset those seeking repeal of the Hunting Act and the return of blood sports. However, it was the prevarication of the huntsmen themselves, who eventually pleaded guilty to numerous charges, that caused the costs to escalate. It was the commitment of the RSPCA against people like these who take the law into their own hands and persist with gory antiquated traditions that are incongruent with contemporary society and public opinion that won in the end.

And so prosecuting the law breakers is essential to teach people, young and old, that animals are sentient beings that deserve our compassion and respect and that we have a responsibility of care towards them. These responsibilities include spaying and neutering our pets, important steps toward ending animal homelessness on the scale we see today.

So while we are outraged over euthanising healthy dogs that have been abandoned, we should remember the underlying attitude of our throw away consumerist society that includes animals, those who cannot afford to keep pets during the recession, the decline in donations and legacies to animal charities like the RSPCA and check the neuter status of our own pets. We should also ask who are the ones doing anything about it.

No animal should have to live their final days on death's row unloved and unwanted as the clock ticks down their final hours. But while we may abhor the euthanisation of perfectly healthy good natured animals we should equally support prosecutions, even the most astronomically expensive ones, which are a step towards a day that sees all pets as loved and valued family members and all animals treated with the respect and kindness they deserve. Otherwise, we have to ask what kind of savage, inhumane and uncompassionate society do we want to live in, and what is to be done with 126,176 and rising abandoned dogs each year?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The RSPCA: Can it destroy and protect animals at the same time?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
No charity has seen its public estimation plunge lower and faster than that of the RSPCA. The country's biggest animal welfare charity with a royal title, 'is one of Britain's most complained about charities,' according to the Charity Commission.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the 'Changes to Legislation' area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the 'Changes to Legislation' area.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Higher Biology - What Are The Five Freedoms?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What Are The Five Freedoms? This short video explains the history behind this internationally renowned animal welfare framework. Suitability: Ages 15-20 This video was created as part of our Higher Biology 'The Science of Animal Welfare' e-box.

# data[].attributes.body
Ethan Bates
This is an article on what standards need to be reached within protecting animals physical and mental states.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Helping to improve the lives of millions of farm animals

Our science team works to develop RSPCA welfare standards for each of the major farm animal species. These detailed documents are intended to represent good practice in the care and welfare of farm animals.

They cover every aspect of the animals' lives, including feed and water provision, the environment they live in, how they are managed, health care, transport, and humane slaughter/killing. The standards are designed to ensure that all animals reared according to the requirements have everything they need for a better quality of life, whether they are kept on large or small farms, or in indoor or outdoor production systems.

The standards are set at the limit of what is achievable, in terms of animal husbandry and commercial viability, and aim to deliver improved animal welfare above and beyond 'standard' or typical UK production.

The standards are applied through our higher welfare food labelling and farm assurance scheme, RSPCA Assured, as well as being used by a variety of other bodies and individuals in the UK and beyond. The RSPCA welfare standards have had a significant influence on the animal production standards set by many major retailers for their suppliers, and on various assurance schemes in the UK and overseas. In some instances, the standards have also been used by UK and overseas governments and governmental bodies to inform legislation and associated guidance/recommendations.

How are the RSPCA welfare standards developed?

We work to continually develop and improve our welfare standards using a range of information, including the latest scientific research and practical farming experience. We regularly consult with other animal welfare and agricultural scientists, veterinary surgeons, and farming industry representatives. This helps to ensure that the RSPCA welfare standards continue to be at the forefront of farm animal care and welfare, and are also achievable on commercial farms.

We also take account of feedback from RSPCA field staff (Farm Livestock Officers), who carry out monitoring of the RSPCA Assured scheme, RSPCA Assured assessors who audit scheme members, and the scheme members themselves.

Details regarding the evidence base we use when developing the welfare standards are set out in The evidence base for farm animal welfare (PDF 49KB).

Further details on the RSPCA welfare standards for different species are available in the navigation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farm animal welfare standards | rspca.org.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our science team works to develop RSPCA welfare standards for each of the major farm animal species. These detailed documents are intended to represent good practice in the care and welfare of farm animals. They cover every aspect of the animals' lives, including feed and water provision, the environment they live in, how they are managed, health care, transport, and humane slaughter/killing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
New research carried out in the UK by Mintel has revealed insights into the attitudes of consumers towards the ethical treatment of farm animals. Of the 1,500 consumers surveyed, 74% said that they believed guarantees of animal welfare by a food or drink company were an important indicator of an ethical company. This statistic ranked animal welfare as the most important concern (ahead of the responsible sourcing of ingredients and worker welfare) for consumers when buying meat. 72% have said that these ethical standards should be met without consumers having to pay more, and half of consumers said that they would stop buying products from a company that did not meet these standards. ( The Grocer)

Furthermore, research from the Soil Association has shown that attitudes towards purchasing organic meat is improving, with a quarter of 18-24 year olds in the U.K. saying they are more likely to buy organic bacon to upgrade their burgers at home, compared to only 6% of 25-24 year olds. It has also been found that 39% of customers buying meat this summer will buy organic meat. 27% of customers would buy organic sausages, 25% burgers, 17% steak, 15% chicken legs and 9% spare ribs. ( FG Insight)

The quality of meat has been highlighted as very important to customers, with 72% stating it as one of their top three concerns when buying meat. Through this desire for good quality products, organic meat businesses are thriving, with a large demand from schools and hospitals for their service. ( FG Insight)

Overall, this research indicates that consumer attitudes towards high animal welfare standards in the food industry is overwhelmingly positive, with a clear increase in the percentage of consumers buying organic meat, and the ethical treatment of animals ranking as the most important concern when choosing a product.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Research reveals insights into consumer attitudes towards farm animal welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New research carried out in the UK by Mintel has revealed insights into the attitudes of consumers towards the ethical treatment of farm animals. Of the 1,500 consumers surveyed, 74% said that they believed guarantees of animal welfare by a food or drink company were an important indicator of an ethical company.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Story of Our Free-Range British Chickens | Tesco Food

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Animal welfare is a broad term covering the general health, welfare and wellbeing of animals in our diverse farming systems. It covers all the elements associated with livestock production including housing, grazing, nutrition, disease prevention and control, transport right through to humane handling and slaughter. It means providing for the animal's physical and mental needs.

The UK is a recognised world leader in animal welfare. It drafted the first ever legislation on animal welfare nearly 200 years ago and established the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) - the world's first animal welfare charity. In recent years animal welfare has also been rising up the global agenda, as a result of a number of factors including food scandals, tightening legislative requirements and investor concerns. Customers are also increasingly concerned about their health and are demanding information and reassurance on the origin and content of their food.

As a food specialist we have a significant impact on animal welfare standards. We have always been committed to ensuring that the welfare of all animals used in the production of our products is safeguarded. Our continued commitment to animal welfare has also been recognised by leading animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming.

Our goal is to ensure that our suppliers adopt and implement the highest practical and commercially viable standards of farm animal welfare across our supply base and be able to demonstrate continuous improvement in farm animal health and welfare standards. We committed to report on our use of animal welfare and environmental outcome indicators from 2018 and use this data to shape future production standards and drive a continual improvement culture across our farm supply base.

Our commitment to animal welfare extends to our stance on animal testing. We do not test or ask suppliers or other third parties to test household products on animals - this extends to the ingredients used within these products. And since 1 January 2006 we have not sold any products or products containing ingredients which have been tested on animals for cosmetic purposes. Find out more about our approach to household goods.

Milk, dairy products, eggs and many types of meats, fish and seafood are used as ingredients in our products and we care greatly about the health and welfare of all the animals that feed into our supply chains. We believe that animal welfare has an impact on food quality, so we only want to use ingredients with have been farmed to good welfare standards.

Our overarching Farm Animal Health and Welfare Policy requires that high standards of animal welfare are met and maintained at all stages of the animal's life - on the farm, during transportation and at the place of slaughter. This commitment applies right across our business - from our fresh products to all the raw material proteins that are used as an ingredient in our prepared foods. These are global commitments and apply wherever we trade.

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour

2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

We have developed our own detailed standards and were the first retailer to pioneer a farm assurance scheme - M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards - to address our customers' concerns on food safety, animal welfare and animal health. We are working with our suppliers and a number of leading organisations (e.g. RSCPA, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), the Humane Slaughter Association and FAI Farms) to further research and progress our animal welfare standards through the adoption of outcome measure assessments.

We have a dedicated team of agriculture and fisheries specialists responsible for defining and implementing our agriculture policies across our business. All our agriculture managers are externally trained in animal welfare by Bristol University and re-certified every 3 years and we have a requirement that our suppliers also undertake the same rigorous certification. Our aquaculture team has worked with industry experts, Fish Vet Group, to develop and launch a comprehensive training course on fish and shrimp welfare, which is followed by all our aquaculture partners.

Our approach to continually improving animal welfare focuses on:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Animal welfare is a broad term covering the general health, welfare and wellbeing of animals in our diverse farming systems. It covers all the elements associated with livestock production including housing, grazing, nutrition, disease prevention and control, transport right through to humane handling and slaughter. It means providing for the animal's physical and mental needs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Billie Eilish | Viva! - The Vegan Charity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Billie Eilish has been vegan since 2014, according to a reply on her Tumblr page in 2018. She said: "I went vegan like four years ago. There were a lot of reasons. I love animals and i just think there's no point in creating something out of an animal when the animal is already there.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Beef Cattle Welfare - Main Issues | RSPCA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out more about the main issues surrounding beef cattle welfare, including where they¿re kept, what they eat and how they¿re bred.

# data[].attributes.body
Cosmetics etc

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mice, fish, cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, monkeys - they're all used in animal testing across the world.

Until recently, the US Department of Agriculture used cats to research toxoplasmosis - a potentially deadly parasitic illness usually caught from cats or tainted food.

The animals were fed infected meat, and the parasite's eggs harvested for use in other experiments - then the cats were put down.

But the department has announced it will stop using the cats after criticism from the public - and the 14 animals left will be adopted.

Animals are used in research for various reasons and each country has different rules on what experiments can be carried out.

Here's what we know about the UK:

In the UK, the most recent figures show 3.79 million procedures were carried out using living animals in 2017.

Half (1.89 million) were experimental procedures which means the animal was used in "scientific studies" to help with things such as:

Basic research (ie the study of biological functions and diseases)

Development of treatments

Safety testing of medicines and other chemicals

Surgical training and education

Environmental research

Species protection

The other half (1.9 million) were used for the creation/ breeding of genetically altered (GA) animals.

These figures refer to the breeding of animals whose genes have mutated or modified.

The Home Office, which releases the data, says the number of procedures carried out in 2017 decreased by 4% on the year before.

However, the number of procedures has risen 4% over the past 10 years.

"This stems from a rise in the creation/ breeding and use of GA animals, largely due to the availability of new technology which has led to new research opportunities," the Home Office says.

The majority of experimental procedures (87%) carried out in the UK in 2017 used mice (around 1.09 million), fish (around 308,000) and rats (around 230,000).

Other animals that were used included guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, birds, goats, sheep and pigs.

Cats, dogs, horses and monkeys are classed as "specially protected species" - which means laboratories wanting to use them must show that no other species are suitable before they're given the go-ahead.

The figures show 71 cats, 2,496 dogs, 228 horses and 2,215 monkeys were used in experimental procedures for the first time in 2017.

Do the animals suffer?

The Home Office also records what it calls the "severity" experienced by animals which are used for research.

In the figures, pain is broken down into severe, moderate, mild, sub-threshold and non-recovery - which means the animal was put under anaesthetic before the start of the procedure and is killed without ever regaining consciousness.

Figures show 5% were severe, 26% moderate, 50% mild, 11% sub-threshold and 7% non-recovery for animals used in experimental procedures in 2017.

There's a ban on using animals to test cosmetic products or their ingredients in the UK and all other countries which are members of the EU.

Since 2013, it's also been illegal to sell cosmetic products in the EU that have been tested on animals.

This includes things such as soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste as well as make-up and perfumes.

But that's not the case for all of the world. For example, in China and the US there's no national law banning the use of animals in cosmetic testing.

Under UK law any new drug being developed must be tested on at least two different species of live mammal - one rodent and one non-rodent.

Chris Magee, head of policy and media for Understanding Animal Research, told Radio 1 Newsbeat: "Research using animals is the reason we have medicines for ourselves and our pets.

"It helps us to understand and stop environmental pollution and find ways to stop diseases killing our wildlife.

"A lot of people don't realise that in the UK you cannot use an animal for cosmetics testing - or use an animal if there is another way to do an experiment.

"We spend millions of pounds every year trying to find alternatives to animals. Once we have an alternative the law says we have to use it.

"The experiments mainly use mice and are as kind as they can be, but it is not kind for people to tell medical researchers they cannot do their work when so many people and animals rely on it."

The Home Office has rules on how and when animals can be used in testing.

Researchers must state the potential benefits of the project and prove there is no realistic alternative to using the animal.

Animal testing has been used to research diseases including Alzheimer's, heart disease, HIV and Aids.

Cruelty Free International works to end animal experiments across the world.

Dr Katy Taylor, its director of science and regulatory affairs, told Newsbeat: "We estimate that every year at least 115 million animals across the world suffer and die in cruel tests carried out for a wide range of research, including biological studies and the testing of medicines and chemicals.

"With the advancement of more humane alternatives, the time has come for us to rethink the use of animal experiments.

"Non-animal testing methods are more human-relevant, and often more accurate and less costly, than increasingly outdated and inhumane research using animals.

"As a society we should be doing everything we can to move away from cruel animal research and turning to scientifically superior non-animal methods that are increasingly available."

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animal testing: Which ones are used in UK experiments?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mice, fish, cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, monkeys - they're all used in animal testing across the world. Until recently, the US Department of Agriculture used cats to research toxoplasmosis - a potentially deadly parasitic illness usually caught from cats or tainted food.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
(Image: Lever Foundation)

Tesco has been accused of double standards after selling eggs at stores in Asia that come from hens kept in battery farms.

The supermarket giant has pledged to end the sale of eggs from caged birds in its Europe markets 2025 but the same commitment does not apply to its Asian customers.

Animal welfare organisation Lever Foundation says that hens at farms that supply Tesco in Thailand are kept in conditions of "despicable cruelty".

The non-profit organisation says it filmed hens crammed into cages at a farm run by egg producer KasemChai Food , which supplies Tesco.

"It is a disgrace that Tesco is serving Asian customers eggs from companies that use cruel, filthy battery cage systems," said Katherine Ma, porgramme manager at the Foundation.

"At farms of this Tesco egg supplier, dead hens are left to rot in the aisles, faeces and dirt coat the equipment, and mother hens are crammed in tiny battery cages so cruel they're illegal in the UK.

"Asian customers deserve the same treatment as those in the UK and Europe."

The Foundation says that it recorded the footage earlier this year at a KasemChai Food farm north of the Thai capital Bangkok.

It says that birds have to climb on each other to move around and suffer from foot deformities and raw exposed skin from living in the cages.

"They will never be able to spread their wings or engage in natural behaviour," it says.

The Foundation also points out that many other retailers including Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Pret a Manger have pledged to go cage-free in Asia by 2025 or sooner.

On its website KasemChai Food describes its vision as: "Aiming to be a leader in egg food products, with research and development coupled with modern technology for the Thai people to receive the best nutrition."

At time of writing it has not responded to enquiries.

A Tesco spokesperson said: "We uphold high standards for animal welfare which we continuously review according to the latest scientific advice, and only source from farms which are certified by local authorities.

"We have asked Lever to share any footage they believe shows the mistreatment of hens so we can investigate fully, and ensure all of our egg suppliers in the region adhere to our high standards.

"We've already committed to sourcing 100% cage free eggs in our UK and Central European businesses by 2025, and following a review of our supply chain in South East Asia aim to move to cage free eggs in the region by 2030."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hens "will never be able to spread their wings or engage in natural behaviour"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tesco has been accused of double standards after selling eggs at stores in Asia that come from hens kept in battery farms. The supermarket giant has pledged to end the sale of eggs from caged birds in its Europe markets 2025 but the same commitment does not apply to its Asian customers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Animal welfare is being neglected on long journeys across Europe amid a booming livestock trade, the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme found.

Livestock hauliers were found to routinely break EU laws for the protection of animals in transit.

It follows monitoring by welfare charities in Bulgaria, an EU entry point to Turkey and the Middle East.

The UK government said it would "take steps to control the export of live animals for slaughter" post-Brexit.

But some animal rights groups are sceptical, and call for a ban on journeys of more than eight hours. The BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme investigated their concerns.

'Like an oven'

UK exports of live cattle, sheep and pigs have tripled in value over the past five years, to more than £21m in 2016, according to HM Revenue and Customs.

The market is fuelled by a desire among some religious communities for live animals and, in some cases, difficulties in rearing livestock and refrigerating meat.

Across the EU, total exports of live cattle and sheep were worth more than €4bn (£3.5bn) last year, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office.

Exports of cattle and sheep from Europe to non-EU countries such as Turkey, with lower animal welfare standards, have increased in value by about 50% since 2012.

Christine Hafner, an animal investigator for welfare charities, has been working on the Turkish border.

She said animals die every summer at the border because of long delays while transporters wait to clear Turkish customs.

The BBC saw widespread health issues among livestock being transported into Turkey, including respiratory problems, eye conditions, and animals suffering from exhaustion or dehydration.

A bull was found dead on the top deck of a transporter on the Turkish border, while its driver was waiting to collect customs papers.

During an incident witnessed by the BBC last month, a truck of 500 sheep became stuck between checkpoints for four days in high temperatures without access to food and water.

When it was unloaded in Turkey, at least one sheep was found dead inside.

Ms Hafner said: "When sheep are forced to stand for many hours, if not days, on a truck, in more than 35-degree heat, with their heads and backs touching the ceiling, it's like an oven."

The Bulgarian border authority told the BBC "the consignment complied with all requirements relating to animal welfare during transport".

What are the rules?

All live animal exports from Britain and Europe are controlled by an EU regulation, which lays down rules on journey times and rest periods

Transporters are required to prepare travel plans, which should be approved by the national authority in the country of departure

Handlers must be properly trained, while vehicles should meet standards of safety and provide adequate space for the animals

Water, feed and rest must be provided when needed.

Source: EU legislation

The requirements continue to apply up to the point of unloading at the place of destination, even if it is outside of Europe.

But Ms Hafner said the laws were frequently broken, especially when transporters cross the border into Turkey.

The BBC has seen evidence that European consignments of animals entering Turkey routinely record an incorrect destination on journey logs.

Once over the border, livestock is often re-routed ad hoc to slaughterhouses hundreds of miles away, in Ankara, Istanbul and the Middle East.

The practice is illegal under EU laws, which require animals to be rested in stables for 48 hours first.

'Main issue enforcement'

The EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: "In my point of view we have enough laws.

"The main issues are enforcement, the level of official control, and the education of all operators involved in live animal transport."

Responding to the BBC's findings of systemic rule-breaking by European transporters of live animals, Mr Andriukaitis agreed it was "absolutely cause for concern".

He said: "We have sent a fact-finding mission to the Bulgarian border to try to address these problems."

A spokesman for the UK government said it would "consider the option to limit journey times involving farm animals for slaughter once Britain has left the EU".
Watch the Victoria Derbyshire programme on weekdays between 09:00 and 11:00 on BBC Two and the BBC News channel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Animal welfare is being neglected on long journeys across Europe amid a booming livestock trade, the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme found. Livestock hauliers were found to routinely break EU laws for the protection of animals in transit. It follows monitoring by welfare charities in Bulgaria, an EU entry point to Turkey and the Middle East.