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Beyond the ban: why the UK and EU’s “End of Cage Age” reforms risk exporting poor animal welfare

2026-02-13T00:00:00Z

Title: Beyond the ban: why the UK and EU’s “End of Cage Age” reforms risk exporting poor animal welfare Authors: Mata, Fernando; Paixão, Gustavo Abstract: Recent and forthcoming bans on confinement systems for farmed animals highlight the growing societal and policy emphasis on improving welfare. In the United Kingdom, the proposed prohibition of enriched cages for laying hens represents a major step beyond existing European Union standards, reflecting both scientific evidence and public concern over the limitations of cage-based systems. While such reforms are indicative of farmed animal welfare gains domestically, experience from the EU ban on conventional cages indicates a critical policy gap: the absence of mechanisms to retire and decommission obsolete infrastructure allows housing systems to be resold or exported, potentially perpetuating welfare issues elsewhere. Similar patterns have emerged in pork production, where gestation and farrowing crates have been inconsistently phased out in different regions of the world, illustrating the broader consequences of neglecting infrastructure lifecycle management. This perspective is based on welfare reforms incorporating decommissioning of equipment to align ethical intent with material outcomes. Decommissioning approaches lead to incentivising or mandating the permanent removal of banned pork production physical infrastructure, mitigating economic risks for producers, and reducing cross-border exacerbation of welfare issues. Coordinated implementation across national, regional, and global locals is essential to maximise the pig welfare effectiveness of reforms. By integrating decommissioning provisions, policymakers can ensure that animal welfare improvements are substantive, credible, and globally effective.

Quality and composition of the Branca breed cock meat fed with maize or concentrate

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Quality and composition of the Branca breed cock meat fed with maize or concentrate Authors: Mata, Fernando; Cerqueira, Joaquim Lima; Araújo, José Pedro; Pires, Preciosa; Lorenzo, Jose; Bermúdez, Roberto; Soares, Laura Abstract: This study investigates the chemical and physical properties of Branca chicken meat, a traditional Portuguese breed. A feeding trial compared a conventional concentrate diet with a maize-based finishing diet, focusing on breast and thigh cuts. Key analyses included physical and chemical parameters, fatty acid composition and nutritional indices, highlighting implications for health and niche market potential. Thighs of birds fed on maize show higher post-mortem pH, independently of the fed type. These also have higher moisture levels. Protein levels are higher in the breast of concentrate-fed birds, and lower in the thighs of maize-fed birds. Thigh meat exhibited higher intramuscular fat. Thigh of concentrate-fed birds have higher water-holding capacity, and breast of concentrate-fed birds have lower water-holding capacity. Breast meat had elevated levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Maize-fed birds showed higher levels of plant-based FAs, while concentrate- fed birds demonstrated increased PUFAs such as EPA and DHA. Meat cuts affect firmness and colour attributes, with thighs displaying higher colour attributes and firmness levels. Different cuts and feed influence Branca chicken meat's quality and properties, emphasising the importance of tailored diets and sensory analyses to enhance its nutritional profile, market differentiation, and consumer appeal.

Sociodemographic factors associated with EU citizens’ attitudes toward animal welfare standards in external trade

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Sociodemographic factors associated with EU citizens’ attitudes toward animal welfare standards in external trade Authors: Mata, Fernando; Marques, Rosário; Almeida, João M.; Araújo, José Pedro; Baptista, Nuno; Paixão, Gustavo; Cerqueira, Joaquim Lima Abstract: This study examines the impact of sociodemographic factors on the attitudes of EU citizens towards animal welfare and their implications for trade policy. Variations in animal welfare legislation across major commercial blocks create ethical and economic challenges, with the EU implementing stringent standards compared with other countries. Data were drawn from the Special Eurobarometer 533 survey, conducted between the 3rd and 26th March 2023, which employed a multistage, clustered sampling method across all 27 EU Member States, yielding a representative sample of 26,368 respondents. The survey collected detailed information on attitudes toward animal welfare alongside sociodemographic characteristics. The results revealed substantial public support for stricter regulations and informative labelling, with attitudes differing with age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), income (p < 0.001), and political orientation (p < 0.001), according to the multinomial regression applied to each of the independent variables. These results emphasise the importance of these factors in shaping consumer expectations. The findings highlight the need for policymakers to integrate ethical and societal values into trade negotiations, ensuring that policies reflect public concerns, promote fair competition, and encourage higher animal welfare standards internationally. Additionally, understanding the perspectives and motivations of livestock industry stakeholders remains critical for implementing effective welfare strategies. By aligning EU trade policy with citizen values and stakeholder practices, it is possible to advance animal welfare globally while balancing economic and ethical considerations and promoting a fair trade.

Weather and seasonal effects in behavioural patterns for grazing cattle

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Weather and seasonal effects in behavioural patterns for grazing cattle Authors: Paixão, Gustavo; Mata, Fernando; Cerqueira, Joaquim Lima; Araújo, José Pedro Abstract: Weather conditions influence grazing cattle behaviour, affecting activities like grazing, ruminating, and resting. Understanding these behavioural responses to temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation is essential for managing livestock welfare and productivity amid changing climate patterns. The study monitored 20 Minhota breed cattle year-round, from January 1 to December 31, 2024 using GPS-accelerometer collars in Northern Portugal. Behaviour and weather data were analysed via canonical correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests to assess seasonal impacts on activity patterns and environmental influences. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were found between all the analysed behaviours between the seasons. Grazing and walking peaked in spring and summer, following greater pasture availability. Conversely, resting and rumination increased in autumn and winter, reflecting lower energy demands and greater reliance on roughage. All recorded behaviours were influenced by the temperature indexes and solar radiation (p < 0.001) and the temperature-humidity-sun-wind index correlated most strongly with resting time reductions (-0.62). Surprisingly, moderate heat stress did not suppress grazing and other behaviours like eating or playing. Rainfall negatively affected grazing while increasing rumination and resting (p < 0.001). Canonical correlation revealed strong links between behaviour and environment, and the two canonical covariate pairs (CCP) explain 79.9 % of the variation between the two sets of variables. Seasonal and heat-related factors shaped distinct activity-rest patterns, highlighting cattle’s adaptive strategies and the importance of climate-aware livestock management. These findings highlight the need for climate-adaptive livestock management, including strategic feeding, shelter provision, and flexible grazing practices to mitigate climate change impacts.