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Methods
A key objective of this project is an objective measure of animal welfare appropriate to extensive sheep farming systems. Indicators of sheep welfare will thus be developed by using:
- a network of experts in sheep welfare and food market stakeholders
- a knowledge base of animal welfare
- an inventory of farm system characteristics and resources.
The latter will allow to assess welfare from the animal's perspective based on the established method of assessing animal needs. The relative perceived importance for animal welfare of aspects of the farm inventory will be assessed using methods based on service quality.
Primary data will be collected from a network of farmer focus groups and their farms. Focus groups are based in Scotland, Cumbria, the Peak District and Mid-Wales.
The relationship between the quality/availability of labour and animal welfare in these extensive conditions will also be investigated.
CAP reform responses
The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has been introduced differently in Wales, Scotland and England.
Overviews of the responses to the CAP reform for each of the 3 regions are available to download (see related document).
Farm inventories
Following consultation with experts and examination of the literature, an inventory of questions relating to animal welfare, farm resources, farm management, farmer opinion and attitude to welfare and labour availability was compiled.
Gathering and shepherding surveys
Data were collected in 2 areas: by direct observation and data collection during the shearing gather, and by survey of the focus group farms' gathering management and perception of the stress associated with gathering.