This book was conceived as an activity of the Network on Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture, an EU funded network of researchers from 13 countries, and most of the authors were drawn from the network. A problem identified by the authors is the diversity that occurs inevitablyin organic agriculture, as it must adapt to the local conditions. Because of this they have limited the scope of the book to organic farming in Europe. The 17 chapters cover: the principles and values of organic farming; a historical perspective of animals in agriculture; diversity in organic livestock systems; organic livestock standards; welfare and ethics; understanding animal behaviour in organic systems; applied ethology in improving welfare; mutilations (including dehorning, debeaking); assessing animal welfare; humans in managing organic herds; health and disease on organic farms; promoting health and welfare through planning; treatment of animals; grassland management and parasite control; feeding; breeding; and future challenges. In the appendix the objectives of the Network of Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture are listed with its main conclusions and recommendations on the development of standards and regulations, development of systems and training, and research needs.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Organic Principles and Values : the Framework for Organic Animal Husbandry / Mette Vaarst, Stephen Roderick, Vonne Lund, Willie Lockeretz and Malla Hovi -- The Role of Animals in Farming Systems : a Historical Perspective / Ton Baars, Jan Paul Wagenaar, Susanne Padel and Willie Lockeretz -- The Diversity of Organic Livestock Systems in Europe / Stephen Roderick, Britt Henriksen, Roberto Garcia Trujillo, Monique Bestman and Michael Walkenhorst -- Organic Livestock Standards / Susanne Padel, Otto Schmid and Vonne Lund -- Animal Welfare, Ethics and Organic Farming / Henk Verhoog, Vonne Lund and Hugo Fjelsted Alrøe -- Understanding Animal Behaviour and its Use in Organic Animal Husbandry / Vonne Lund and Dan Weary -- Applied Ethology : the Basis for Improved Animal Welfare in Organic Farming / Susanne Waiblinger, Johannes Baumgartner, Marthe Kiley-Worthington and Knut Niebuhr -- Mutilations in Organic Animal Husbandry : Dilemmas Involving Animal Welfare, Humans, and Environmental Protection / Christoph Menke, Susanne Waiblinger, Merete Studnitz and Monique Bestman -- Assessing Animal Welfare in Organic Herds / Ute Knierim, Albert Sundrum, Torben Bennedsgaard, Ulla Roiha and Pernille Fraas Johnsen -- The Role of Humans in the Management of Organic Herds / Mette Vaarst, Francoise Wemelsfelder, Martin Seabrook, Xavier Boivin and Anita Idel -- Animal Health and Diseases in Organic Farming : an Overview / Stig Milan Thamsborg, Stephen Roderick and Albert Sundrum -- Promoting Health and Welfare through Planning / Malla Hovi, Douglas Gray, Mette Vaarst, Andreas Striezel, Michael Walkenhorst and Stephen Roderick -- Approaches to the Treatment of Diseased Animals / Mette Vaarst, Andrea Martini, Torbet Werner Bennedsgaard and Lisbeth Hektoen -- Grassland Management and Parasite Control / David Younie, Stig Milan Thamsborg, Francesca Ambrosini and Stephen Roderick -- Feeding for Health and Welfare : the Challenge of Formulating Well-balanced Rations in Organic Livestock Production / Werner Zollitsch, Troels Kristensen, Christian Krutzinna, Finnain MacNaeihde and David Younie -- Breeding Strategies for Organic Livestock / Jennie E. Pryce, Jo Conington, Paul Sørensen, Hillary R.C. Kelly and Lotta Rydhmer -- Organic Animal Husbandry : the Future Challenges / Mette Vaarst, Stephen Roderick, Vonne Lund, Willie Lockeretz and Malla Hovi.

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Title from PDF title page (viewed August 23, 2013).