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1) Animals are used by man for many purposes including the production of food and clothing, draught power, companionship, recreation, scientific research and education.

2) In all cases, some degree of modification of the genetics and/or environment of the species concerned has taken place.

3) Both those responsible for the animals, and society as a whole, have a duty to ensure that the welfare of the animals is not unacceptably compromised in these processes.

4) The validity of the use of animals for these different purposes is a philosophical question of Animal Rights, on which individuals hold sincere but often conflicting views.

5) Animal Welfare deals with the related, but different, question of the health and well-being of the animals in any given situation.

6) Whilst this is also often an emotive issue, scientists are continually seeking ways to allow objective and informed judgements to be made.

7) It is the belief of most people that causing deliberate and unnecessary suffering to animals is unethical.

8) However, the extent of this belief depends on individual opinion, which is often moulded by the economic circumstances and accepted moral norms of the culture in which a person exists.

9) 10) It is always tempting to be anthropomorphic and to make apparently obvious subjective judgements about the feelings of animals.
 * Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
 * Freedom from discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
 * Freedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
 * Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring condition and treatment with avoid metal suffering
 * Freedom to express normal behaviour - by providing sufficent space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.

11) For animals used for scientific and medical research, the approach is as stringent with Ethical Review processes in place that reinforce legislation.

12) The role of this process is to ensure that any compromise to animal welfare is both minimised, and fully justified by the benefits likely to result to future human or animal populations.

13) For all animals, whether domestic pets, captive wild animals or farm livestock, the paramount influence on their welfare is exerted by their day-to-day carer.

14) The education of such people to understand the needs of the animals and the ways in which to initiate and reinforce positive interactions with them, building up a mutually rewarding human-animal bond, is of critical importance.

15) Animal welfare is a complex subject, but one which requires paramount consideration from all involved in the use of animals by man. Future scientific developments will facilitate objective assessment of the welfare implications of current practices, and allow more informed ethical decisions to be made.