With rising public concern over animal welfare, food safety and GM crops, Europe's farmers, breeders and food processors are caught in the eye of a storm. While some are 'returning to the soil' with traditional organic methods, others are breeding crops and animals using biotechnology, for markets as diverse as power generation and pharmaceuticals. For Europe's policymakers social and ecological sustainability are paramount, but public information is also a prerequisite for meaningful debate.

The differences in behaviour between calves in the two housing systems are discussed with regard to animal welfare. The behaviour of each calf was recorded by direct observation every 10 mins. over a 24 h period in weeks 8, 12, 16 and 20 after arrival for fattening at approx. 1 week. Lying posture, licking, head butting, mounting, intersucking and urine drinking were monitored. Group housing is seen as an important step towards improved calf welfare. This paper is based on part of a doctoral thesis published by IMAG and available in printed form and on microfiche from: NARD, c/o Pudoc, P.O. Box 4, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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The development of the sucking behaviour of bucket-fed veal calves in groups of five was described from the age of two to eight weeks. The influence of extra water supply and early feeding method on the occurrence of preputial sucking was investigated. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)