Program Overview

Introduction to SFS's Animal Welfare Program

SFS's animal welfare program is designed to document the quality assurance and quality level in Swedish egg production, from the import of breeding animals to the consumption of the final product. The program aims to contribute to a positive and continuous development with improvement goals within the industry and its areas of interest in national and international contexts.

Program Overview

The program covers all types of production forms intended for specific consumer demands, with a focus on animal welfare, food quality, and disease control. The increased internationalization and mobility of inputs and products require greater demands on animal-based production, the industry, and society as a whole to maintain the societal benefits that Swedish egg production stands for.

Program Objectives

The program's objectives include:

• Documenting quality assurance and quality levels in Swedish egg production
• Contributing to a positive and continuous development with improvement goals within the industry
• Focusing on animal welfare, food quality, and disease control
• Covering all types of production forms intended for specific consumer demands

Program Structure

The program is structured around the following areas:

Animal Welfare and Animal Assessment

• Includes animal condition and injuries, journaling, supervision, and fulfilled functional requirements

Hygiene and Disease Control

• Includes protection against infectious diseases through hygiene barriers, feed handling, water, and building standards

Food Handling

• Includes handling, packaging, and storage of eggs

Building and Interior

• Includes building and interior technical standards

Program Development

The program was developed by a working group consisting of representatives from the industry, animal welfare organizations, consumer organizations, and researchers. The detailed guidelines for the program were developed by SFS - Swedish Eggs and SLU Info/vet.med, Skara.

Program Implementation

The program was launched in 1999 and covers all types of housing systems, including those for rearing laying hens. The practical fieldwork with the assessment of laying hen houses is carried out by a national controller, possibly in collaboration with a local animal welfare inspector.