A review of the animal needs index (ANI) for the assessment of animals' well-being in the housing systems for Austrian proprietary products and legislation

Abstract

An 'Animal Needs Index' ANI (German: 'Tiergerechtheitsindex' TGI) was developed to be used primarily at farm level as an instrument for assessing and grading livestock housing with respect to the well-being of the animals. Today, several different systems exist. The approach pursued in Austria (ANI 35 L) considers five husbandry conditions: (1) possibility of mobility, (2) social contact, (3) condition of flooring, (4) stable climate (including fight and noise) and (5) stockman's care. Scoring leads to a sum of points. The ANI values have been divided up into different grades of good or poor animal welfare. The ANI is a pragmatic system, based on a consensus of people responsible for animal welfare products and therefore reduces conflicts between farmers' situations and consumers' expectations. It is used officially in Austria, mainly in controlling organic farming and in connection with animal welfare legislation. An inquiry into the experiences of 11 Austrian organisations employing 176 people who control livestock systems using the ANI showed that about 20,000 stables were checked. The ANI system proved to be practical and satisfactory. The selection of parameters is discussed and the development of the ANI is linked to the general welfare literature and to other similar efforts.