Health reporting system
Level: Spearhead
Healthy animals are an important aspect of animal welfare. Moreover, it is an important aspect for climate impact as healthy animals also produce more efficiently. A low mortality rate in production is a significant indicator.
Details
- Type:
- Technical specification
- ID:
- 10898:1
- Group:
- Free-range systems outdoors
- Swedish:
Criterion text
Eggs must come from a producer that works in accordance with a health reporting system with health parameters for animal welfare. Parameters are to be monitored in a systematic way, causes must be analysed, deviations must be documented and result in appropriate action in consultation with a veterinarian or production advisor to remedy the problems.
The health reporting system must at least include the following:
- Mortality rate
- Pecking injuries
- Feathering
- The presence of mites
- The presence of roundworm
Verification
- Certification system that fulfils the requirement, e.g., KRAV, Svenskt Sigill [Swedish Seal] (supplement according to climate certification)
- Quality system that meets the requirement, e.g., the Swedish Egg and Poultry Association's [Svenska Ägg] inspection programme
Subject matter of contract
Eggs from hens in free-range systems outdoors
Environmental goals
Motive
In addition to increased animal welfare, healthy animals lead to higher production because healthy animals produce more. When it comes to egg production, there are two things that are important; the mortality rate in the breeding of laying hens (0-19 weeks) and the mortality rate during the laying period. Every animal that dies has caused a certain climate impact that must be borne by the eggs produced by the remaining hens. Thus, from a systemic point of view, the lower the mortality rate the better.
By continuously focusing on animal health, it is likely that the mortality rate can be reduced, which is also good from a climate impact standpoint. The industry organisation the Swedish Egg and Poultry Association [Svenska Ägg] runs animal welfare programmes, approved by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, and which cover the following areas: Hygiene and Infectious Disease Control, Animal Environment and Supervision, Food Management and Construction and Furnishing. In addition, there is a voluntary Salmonella Programme. The programme guidelines were developed by a working group consisting of representatives from industry, animal welfare, consumer organisations and researchers.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 10898:1
- Version date
- 2016-12-19
2016-12-19: Changed type from award criteria to technical specification, changed level from advanced to spearhead