Acknowledgemen s
The au ho s hank Luc Mounie and Debo ah Temple o e iewing his documen .
Re iew
The mal com o in uminan s and equines
Ve sion 2
Ma ia-Anas asia Ka a zia, Domenico Vecchio, E angelia Sossidou and Isabelle Veissie (chai )
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
This e iew is a publica ion o he Eu opean Union Re e ence Cen e o Animal Wel a e o Ruminan s & Equines.
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines was designa ed by he Eu opean Commission h ough implemen ing decision o 6 May
2021, in acco dance wi h Regula ion 2017/625/EU.
Disclaime
This e iew can be downloaded o ee a h ps://doi.o g/10.5281/zenodo.17661637
Ci a ion: Ka a zia, M.A., Vecchio, D., Sossidou, E. & Veissie , I. (2025). Re iew - The mal com o in uminan s and
equines. EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines.
Each EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines e iew p o ides backg ound in o ma ion on he biological ele ance o he wel a e
opic. I hen p esen s he mos impo an key a eas o ocus on du ing wel a e inspec ions, desc ibes why wel a e
issues occu and lis s speci ic animal-based indica o s ha can help o icial inspec o s o iden i y hese wel a e issues.
Finally, he e iew summa ises good and be e p ac ices ha can help o sol e he p e iously desc ibed wel a e issues,
and deals wi h ela ed legisla i e equi emen s.
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines p oduces i s e iews acco ding o in e na ionally accep ed scien i ic s anda ds, which
include an ex e nal pee e iew p ocess. Howe e , i canno accep liabili y o any damage esul ing om he use o
he esul s o his s udy o he applica ion o he ad ice con ained in i .
in o@eu caw- uminan s-equines.eu
h ps://www.eu caw- uminan s-equines.eu/
h ps://www.linkedin.com/company/eu caw- uminan s-equines/
Re iew
The mal com o in uminan s and equines
Ma ia-Anas asia Ka a zia1, Domenico Vecchio2, E angelia Sossidou1, Isabelle Veissie 3 (chai )
1Ve e ina y Resea ch Ins i u e, Ellinikos Geo gikos O ganismos-DIMITRA, ELGO-DIMITRA Campus, The mi,
G eece
2I alian Na ional Re e ence Cen e on Wa e Bu alo Fa ming and P oduc ions Hygiene and Technologies
(CReNBu ), Is i u o Zoop o ila ico Spe imen ale del Mezzogio no, Po ici, I aly
3UMR He bi o es, Uni e si y Cle mon -Au e gne, INRAE, Ve Ag o-Sup, 63122 Sain -Genes-Champanelle,
F ance
No embe 2025
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
Con en s
1 Execu i e Summa y ______________________________________________________ 5
2 Fo ewo d _______________________________________________________________ 5
3 De ini ions ______________________________________________________________ 7
4 Adap a ion o he mal condi ions ____________________________________________ 8
4.1 Adap a ions o cold ___________________________________________________ 8
4.2 Adap a ions o hea ___________________________________________________ 9
5 Condi ions o he mal com o acco ding o animal ypes ________________________ 10
5.1 Concep s and indices _________________________________________________ 10
5.1.1 The moneu ali y and he moneu al zone _______________________________ 10
5.1.2 The mal com o zone ______________________________________________ 11
5.1.3 The empe a u e humidi y index ______________________________________ 13
5.1.4 The hea load Index ________________________________________________ 13
5.1.5 Accumula ed hea load ______________________________________________ 14
5.2 The mal ange pe species _____________________________________________ 14
5.2.1 Ca le ___________________________________________________________ 14
5.2.2 Sheep ___________________________________________________________ 15
5.2.3 Goa s ___________________________________________________________ 16
5.2.4 Bu alo __________________________________________________________ 16
5.2.5 Ce ids __________________________________________________________ 16
5.2.6 Camelids ________________________________________________________ 16
5.2.7 Equids __________________________________________________________ 17
6 The mal anges in Eu opean coun ies _______________________________________ 17
7 How o ensu e he mal com o ____________________________________________ 18
7.1 P o ec ion agains hea _______________________________________________ 19
7.1.1 Limi ing he p oduc ion o hea by he animal ____________________________ 19
7.1.2 Reducing hea load om he en i onmen _______________________________ 20
7.1.2.1 Limi ing adia ion ________________________________________________ 20
7.1.2.2 Accele a ing con ec ion ___________________________________________ 21
7.1.2.3 Facili a ing e apo a ion and conduc ion _______________________________ 21
7.2 P o ec ion agains cold ________________________________________________ 22
7.2.1 Inc easing he p oduc ion o hea by he animal __________________________ 22
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
7.2.2 Limi ing hea losses ________________________________________________ 22
7.2.3 P o iding ex a hea ________________________________________________ 22
7.2.4 Special case: pa u i ion and neona es _________________________________ 22
8 Key ac o s o ocus on du ing wel a e inspec ions ______________________________ 23
9 Gaps in knowledge and u he s udies needed ________________________________ 25
10 Conclusions ____________________________________________________________ 25
11 Re e ences ____________________________________________________________ 26
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
5
1 Execu i e Summa y
Like all animals, a m animals a e adap ed o a ce ain ange o he mal condi ions, o en de ined
by ai empe a u e and humidi y. Animal managemen sys ems and geog aphical loca ion wi hin
he EU ypically de e mine he isks o exposu e o hea o cold s ess. In he pas , hea s ess
was expe ienced by animals mainly in sou he n Eu ope and cold s ess was expe ienced by
animals mos ly in no he n Eu ope. Howe e , du ing he 21s cen u y, he empe a u e will each
le els co esponding a leas o mode a e hea s ess in mos Eu opean egions (Ca ajal e al.,
2021; Hempel e al., 2019).
Animals eac o hea by dec easing eed in ake, dec easing hei basal me abolism (associa ed
wi h educed me abolic hea p oduc ion), inc easing hei espi a o y a e (possibly wi h pan ing),
looking o shade and educing hei ac i i y.
Animals eac o cold by inc easing eed in ake, inc easing hei basal me abolism (p oduc ion o
glucose, a y acids in uminan s) o gene a e me abolic hea , s aying close o o he animals,
a oiding cold a eas and d augh s, s aying mo e o en in sunligh o in a eas p o ec ed by
ege a ion o a shel e .
The he moneu al zone (TNZ), ha is he he mal zone in which an animal does no ha e o
gene a e o lose hea o main ain i s body empe a u e, depends on he species, he b eed (e.g.
dai y s. bee b eed), he age and he igou o he animal. I anges om -5 o 25 °C o dai y
cows, 5 o 25 °C o ho ses, 6 o 27 °C o goa s and 12 o 27 °C o ewes. Young animals a e
mo e sensi i e o cold han adul s.
Animals can be p o ec ed om hea by p o iding shade in ou doo sys ems and adap ing he
en ila ion du ing housing while ensu ing ha animals ha e access o cool o cold wa e , ha e
limi ed physical exe cise, and, speci ically o uminan s, a e ed ei he oughage o good quali y
o a mo e concen a ed die . Sp aying wa e can also encou age e apo a ion ha in u n cools
animals. Animals can be p o ec ed om cold when housed by educing d augh s and ai humidi y,
p o iding a deep li e , adequa e eeding and wa m wa e . Supplemen a y hea ing can also be
used, especially o young animals.
2 Fo ewo d
Eu opean Union Re e ence Cen es o Animal Wel a e (EURCAWs) aim a imp o ing he
en o cemen o he legisla ion on animal wel a e, which is one o he Commission's p io i ies. The
EURCAWs p o ide echnical suppo and coo dina ed assis ance o EU Membe S a es in ca ying
ou o icial con ols in he ield o animal wel a e. The p esen e iew ocuses on he mal com o
in uminan s and equids.
Like all animals, a m animals a e adap ed o a ce ain ange o he mal condi ions, o en desc ibed
by ai empe a u e possibly combined wi h humidi y. Animal managemen sys ems and
geog aphical loca ion wi hin he EU ypically de e mine he isks o exposu e o hea o cold s ess.
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
6
In he pas , hea s ess was expe ienced by animals mainly in sou he n Eu ope and cold s ess
was expe ienced by animals mainly in no he n Eu ope. Howe e , acco ding o clima ic
p ojec ions, he empe a u e will signi ican ly inc ease in he 21s cen u y (by 1–5 °C on a e age
each yea by he end o he cen u y) and each le els co esponding o a leas mode a e hea
s ess in mos Eu opean egions and se e e hea s ess in some egions (Ca ajal e al., 2021;
Hempel e al., 2019).
The EU legisla ion conce ning he he mal ange ha a m animals mus be kep in add esses only
he issue o he mal s ess. Mo e speci ically, EC Regula ion 1/2005 o he anspo o animals
s ipula es ha i is necessa y o “p o ec he animals om inclemen wea he , ex eme
empe a u es and ad e se changes in clima ic condi ions”. Again, acco ding o Council Di ec i e
98/58/EC ha applies o all a m animals, housing condi ions mus a oid ha m due o
inapp op ia e he mal condi ions. The e is, howe e , a wide gap be ween ha m due o ex eme
condi ions and he mal com o .
The he mal condi ions ha animals can adap o a y wi h ac o s such as species, age o
adap a ion capaci ies. Howe e , he exac ange o ai empe a u e and humidi y in which animals
should be kep is no speci ied in Council Di ec i e 98/58/EC, no in Di ec i e 2008/119/EC speci ic
o cal es. EC Regula ion 1/2005 s ipula es ha en ila ion sys ems mus be capable o
“main aining a ange o empe a u es om 5 °C o 30 °C wi hin he means o anspo , o all
animals, wi h a +/- 5 °C ole ance, depending on he ou side empe a u e”, leading o a ange o
ole a ed empe a u es om 0 o 35 °C.
Due o he inc easing isks and he lack o clea ecommenda ions, EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines
e iewed he knowledge a ailable on he mal com o in hese species. In he p esen documen ,
we i s add ess how animals adap o he mal condi ions ou side hei he moneu al zone, we
hen syn hesise he in o ma ion on he mal condi ions ha co espond o com o and s ess
depending on species and age, we iden i y he isks in he EU, and we inally e iew solu ions o
ensu e he mal com o .
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
7
3 De ini ions1
Accumula ed hea load
AHL
An index ha combines HLI and he ime o exposu e
(Gaughan, Made , Hol , & Lisle, 2008)
Hea load index
HLI
An index ha ep esen s he combined e ec s o ai
empe a u e, humidi y, wind speed, and adia ion (Gaughan e
al., 2008)
Homeo he mic animal
An animal able o keep i s body empe a u e a app oxima ely
he same le el (i.e. wi hin ce ain limi s) despi e changes in
he ambien empe a u e.
Lowe c i ical empe a u e
LCT
The h eshold o ambien empe a u e below which he a e o
hea p oduc ion o a es ing homeo he mic animal inc eases
(e.g., by shi e ing) o main ain he mal balance
Rela i e humidi y
RH
The amoun o wa e apou p esen in ai , exp essed as a
pe cen age o he amoun equi ed o sa u a ion a he same
empe a u e and p essu e
Tempe a u e humidi y
index
THI
An index ha ep esen s he combined e ec s o ai
empe a u e and humidi y (Hahn, Made , & Eigenbe g, 2003)
Tempe a u e, black globe
T
g
The empe a u e o a black hollow sphe e as measu ed by a
he mome e a i s cen e.
I ep esen s he e ec s o ambien empe a u e, wind cooling
and sola adia ion (Li, Geb emedhin, Lee, & Collie , 2009)
Tempe a u e, dew-poin
T
dp
The empe a u e a which condensa ion i s occu s when ai is
cooled a cons an p essu e.
Tempe a u e, d y bulb
T
db
The empe a u e o gazes measu ed by a he mome e
shielded om adia ion
Tempe a u e, we bulb
T
wb
The lowes empe a u e o which a pa cel o ai can be cooled
by e apo a ing wa e
The mal com o zone
TCZ
The ange o en i onmen al empe a u es included in TNZ,
whe e speci ic mechanisms o he mo egula ion a e necessa y
o main ain co e body empe a u e and he animal is in he
p e e ed o chosen he mal en i onmen (Silaniko e, 2000)
The mogenesis
The p ocess o hea p oduc ion in he body
The moneu al zone
TNZ
The ange o ambien empe a u es wi hin which he animal
does no ha e o expend ene gy o main ain no mal body
empe a u e (Becke , Collie , & S one, 2020)
The mo egula ion
The main enance o empe a u e wi hin ce ain limi s despi e
a iable in e nal o ex e nal hea loads
Uppe c i ical empe a u e
UCT
The ambien empe a u e abo e which he a e o e apo a i e
hea loss o a es ing he mo egula ing animal mus be
inc eased (e.g., by he mal achypnea o by he mal swea ing)
in o de o main ain he mal balance.
1 Mos de ini ions a e om The Commission o The mal Physiology o he In e na ional Union o Physiological Sciences
(2001) excep i o he wise s a ed
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
8
4 Adap a ion o he mal condi ions
Ruminan s and equids a e classi ied as homeo he mic animals as hey can uphold a s able in e nal
body empe a u e despi e luc ua ions in ambien condi ions wi hin a ce ain ange. The
physiological mechanism ha egula es he balance be ween hea acquisi ion and dissipa ion
h ough in e ac ions wi h he en i onmen o uphold a s able body empe a u e, is called
he mo egula ion (Al-Ramamneh, 2023; San os, Souza-Junio , Dan as, & Cos a, 2021).
4.1 Adap a ions o cold
Adap a ion o cold e e s o modi ica ions/changes ha occu o minimise he impac o low
empe a u es. The h eshold below which a empe a u e co esponds o cold a ies wi h se e al
ac o s such as species o age (see Sec ion 5 – Condi ions o he mal com o acco ding o animal
ypes).
In cold condi ions, animals adjus hei beha iou owa ds hea e en ion: hey can ga he in
g oups, es ic s anding ime o limi exposu e o wind, a oid es ing on cold a eas, and s ay in
di ec exposu e o sola adia ion (sunba hing), o in a eas p o ec ed by ege a ion o shel e
(Te ien, Pe e , & Auja d, 2011).
In cold condi ions, he mogenesis, ha is, gene a ing hea om he body me abolism, is
enhanced, namely glucose syn hesis and glycoly ic ac i i y (Doubek, Slosá ko á, Fleische , Malá,
& Sk i ánek, 2003). The me abolic changes a e media ed by inc eased le els o co isol (Lei e,
Façanha, Be mejo, Guilhe mino, & Be mejo, 2021). Muscles and eins may con ac , esul ing in
shi e ing and asocons ic ion ha espec i ely p oduce hea and limi hea loss, and he hea
a e inc eases (Lima e al., 2022). These esponses a e media ed by he sympa he ic ne ous
sys em. In uminan s, inc eased eed in ake also boos s he p oduc ion o hea h ough uminal
diges ion. Exposu e o cold can make animals, especially young animals, mo e sensi i e o heal h
diso de s. In cold condi ions, young animals a e mo e sensi i e o espi a o y and in es inal
in ec ions (dia hoea), hei g ow h can be impai ed, and hei mo ali y can inc ease (cal es:
Hyde, G een, Hudson, & Down, 2022; F. L. M. Sil a & Bi a , 2019) (lambs: Guo e al., 2021;
Mas e s e al., 2023). Fo ins ance, cal es exposed o cold s ess a e a a g ea e isk o de eloping
bo ine espi a o y disease (BRD) (Roland, D illich, Klein-Jöbs l, & Iwe sen, 2016).
When en i onmen al condi ions become oo cold o he adap i e mechanisms o an animal o be
able o emain wi hin he he moneu al zone (TNZ), body co e empe a u e, hea a e and
espi a o y a e d op; in ex eme cases his can lead o dea h. In uminan s acing long- e m cold
condi ions he p oduc ion o ola ile a y acids (VFA) in he umen dec eases signi ican ly,
esul ing in a dec ease in appa en eed diges ibili y (Rashamol e al., 2018).
Con inuous exposu e o an animal popula ion (a species o a b eed) o cold condi ions can esul
in he selec ion o animals ha a e gene ically mo e adap ed o such condi ions (Be ihulay, Abied,
He, Jiang, & Ma, 2019). Mo phological adap a ions o cold s ess include he de elopmen o
compac - amed bodies ha p o ide a educed skin su ace, and hick leece ha co e s a
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
9
signi ican ex en o he body and i s laye s epel mois u e and augmen hea p ese a ion (F. L.
M. Sil a & Bi a , 2019; Wang, Li, Peng, & Niu, 2023).
4.2 Adap a ions o hea
Adap a ion o hea e e s o modi ica ions/changes ha occu o minimise he impac o high
empe a u es. The h eshold abo e which a empe a u e co esponds o hea a ies wi h se e al
ac o s such as species o age (see Sec ion 5– Condi ions o he mal com o acco ding o animal
ypes).
In ho condi ions, animals usually d ink mo e, educe hei ac i i y ( hey a e unwilling o mo e
and dec ease eed in ake), s ay s anding a he han lying, and seek shade, while espi a ion a e
inc eases and pan ing may occu , i.e. he animal akes sho and quick b ea hs (Kuma , Singh,
Sahoo, & Naq i, 2014; Ra naka an e al., 2016). Reduced ac i i y limi s he mogenesis, while
shade p o ec s agains sola adia ion and pan ing inc eases e apo a ion (see below sec ion 7.1
P o ec ion agains hea ).
In ho condi ions, he basal me abolism is educed, media ed by al e a ion o ho monal sec e ion
such as a educ ion in hy oid and g ow h ho mone p oduc ion (Salama e al., 2014). As eed
in ake is educed, ene gy balance d ops. I esul s in educed pe o mance in e ms o milk yield,
ep oduc i e e iciency and g ow h, in high-p oducing animals in pa icula (Lima e al., 2022). A
he same ime, co isol is eleased, p obably due o psychological s ess (Salama e al., 2014).
Con e ing wa e om he body in o apou helps o educe hea load (e apo a i e he molysis).
Respi a o y equency hus inc eases in ho condi ions, possibly combined wi h pan ing, open-
mou h b ea hing and hype sali a ion, and swea ing (Masca enhas e al., 2023; Olsson, 2005)
When pan ing, he inhaled ai cools he eins passing a ound a e ies a he base o he b ain and
so, b ain empe a u e emains lowe han he ec al empe a u e. Pan ing is gene ally conside ed
o be less e ec i e han swea ing in uminan s (Olsson, 2005; Silaniko e, 2000). Swea ing ceases
a he onse o dehyd a ion, bu can s ill cause elec oly e imbalance (Olsson, 2005). Swea ing is
mo e ma ked in equids – especially ho ses – han uminan s. In Zebu ca le swea glands a e
la ge , hus swea ing is mo e e ec i e han in empe a e ca le b eeds (Hansen, 2004).
An added s esso which animals unde ho condi ions ha e o cope wi h, is wa e sca ci y. Indeed,
ho en i onmen al condi ions a ou he e apo a ion o shallow g ound wa e ese es, which a e
o en he main sou ce o wa e o g azing uminan s. Wa e dep i a ion can elici complex, non-
speci ic esponses ha a e de imen al o animal’s heal h and p oduc i i y and is e en connec ed
o inc eased mo bidi y and mo ali y (El Mahdy, Boa u, Popescu, & Bo da, 2016; Vee asamy Sejian
e al., 2021). Small uminan s in semi-ex ensi e and ex ensi e sys ems a e mo e likely exposed
o such a dep i a ion han o he uminan s o equines. Despi e hei small body size and a lowe
absolu e equi emen o wa e in compa ison o ca le, small uminan s su e when clean and
cool wa e is no p o ided egula ly. I hey do no d ink enough wa e , hea dissipa ion ails and
milk sec e ion canno be main ained (Vee asamy Sejian e al., 2021). When wa e becomes
sca ce, i s quali y and sa e y can also de e io a e wi h inc eased salini y, and inc eased
concen a ion o mine als, manu e, mic oo ganisms, chemicals o algae con amina ion. Salini y,
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
16
Simila ly, he LCT o sho n sheep is only 10 °C whe eas he LCT o ully leeced wool sheep eaches
0 °C (EFSA Panel on Animal Heal h and Wel a e e al., 2021).
Fo lambs, TNZ seems o ange be ween 14 and 21 °C (EFSA Panel on Animal Heal h and Wel a e
e al., 2021).
5.2.3 Goa s
In o ma ion on op imal he mal condi ions o goa s is sca ce. TNZ seems o be be ween 6 °C and
27 °C (TCZ, be ween 10 and 18 °C), wi h ela i e humidi y anging om 60 o 80% and wind
speed o 0.5 m/s (Toussain , 1997).
5.2.4 Bu alo
Fo bu aloes, TCZ is be ween 13 and 18°C in combina ion wi h ela i e humidi y a ound 55–65%
and wind eloci y o 5–8 km/h. As TNZ is conce ned, LCT is no de ined and UCT is se a 25°C
(Payne & Williamson, 1990). High en i onmen al empe a u e coupled wi h high humidi y is highly
de imen al o bu aloes’ g ow h, ep oduc ion, and p oduc ion (Ma ai & Haeeb, 2010). THI
(calcula ed acco ding o Fo mula 2) below 72, be ween 72 and 80, be ween 80 and 85 and beyond
85 co espond o no s ess, mild s ess, se e e s ess and le hal s ess (Akyuz, Boyaci, & Cayli,
2010; Kohli, A heya, & Thapliyal, 2014).
5.2.5 Ce ids
Ce ids a e well adap ed o cold, wi h LCT a – 28 °C o adul eindee and – 23 °C o hei
cal es. By con as , hey a e no well adap ed o hea , wi h UCT o + 15 °C in adul eindee and
+ 20 °C in hei cal es (Soppela, Nieminen, & Timisjà i, 1986). In ed dee , adul emales su e
om hea a THI abo e 60 (e.g. ai empe a u e 16 °C; ela i e humidi y 60 %) and cal g ow h
is impai ed when THI is abo e 72 (e.g. ai empe a u e 25 °C; ela i e humidi y 60 %) (Pé ez-
Ba be ía e al., 2020).
5.2.6 Camelids
Fo d omeda y camels, TNZ seems o be be ween 10 and 40 °C in d y condi ions (Sama a &
Alhaida y, 2014). Howe e , di e ences may exis be ween b eeds, age, hyd a ion s a us, body
condi ion, and sex (Alhaida y e al., 2013). Finally, i should be conside ed ha hese empe a u es
and hose o TNZ indica ed by Sama a and Al-Haida y we e ob ained a low ela i e humidi y
alues (Sama a & Alhaida y, 2014).
A THI calcula ed (acco ding o Fo mula 1) below 71 (e.g. 24 °C wi h 50 % o ela i e humidi y)
co esponds o no s ess. A THI abo e 71, he co e body empe a u e and he skin empe a u e
inc ease exponen ially (Hab e e al., 2021). A co e body empe a u e inc easing up o 38 °C a
3 PM in he d y season sugges s ha camels a THI 77 (31 °C wi h 34 % o ela i e humidi y) all
ou side he TCZ, p obably app oaching UCT. Howe e , e en du ing he ho and d y season camels
did no show signi ican dec eases in milk p oduc ion, sugges ing ha hey do no expe ience
se e e hea s ess a 38 °C (Hab e e al., 2021). Howe e , a THI o 81 o mo e (40 °C wi h 6.9 %
o ela i e humidi y) leads o a change in blood me aboli es and haema ological indices,
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
17
sugges ing ha he camels expe ience se e e hea s ess (Abdoun, Sama a, Okab, & Al-Haida y,
2012).
5.2.7 Equids
Fo ho ses, TNZ anges om 5 °C o 25 °C (Mo gan, 1998). Acco ding o he commencemen o
e apo a i e hea loss and swea ing, he uppe h eshold o TCZ is a ound 20 °C (EFSA Panel on
Animal Heal h and Wel a e e al., 2022).
The Fede a ion Eques e In e na ionale uses WBGT o ake in o accoun he mal com o du ing
compe i ions. A WBGT abo e 28 °C equi es p ecau ions o educe he mal s ess, e.g. by using
mis ing ans, and WBGT abo e 33 °C is no compa ible wi h compe i ion (Je co , 1996; D. Ma lin
& Williams, 2018; D. J. Ma lin, Mishe , & Whi ehead, 2018; Sch o e , Ma lin, & Je co , 1996).
6 The mal anges in Eu opean coun ies
Since he 1980s, clima ic empe a u es ha e shown long- e m wa ming ends. Eu ope is he
as es wa ming con inen ; since he 1980s, wa ming in he con inen has been abou double he
global a e (Eu opean En i onmen Agency, 2024). The global a e age annual empe a u e in
2023 exceeded p e-indus ial le els by 1.5 °C, i also exceeded le els be ween 1991–2020
a e age ac oss mos o Eu ope, wi h a 1.02–1.12 °C inc ease on a e age (Cope nicus Clima e
Change Se ice (C3S), 2024). The la ges anomalies we e in eas e n and cen al Eu ope, wi h up
o 2.6 °C inc ease in pa s o eas e n Eu ope and 2.3 °C in pa s o he Alps (compa ed o 1991-
2020). By con as , in Scandina ia and Iceland, empe a u es d opped by 1 °C below a e age in
2023.
Eu ope also aces inc easingly se e e clima e isks, including p olonged hea wa es and d ough s,
hea y ain all causing plu ial and i e ine looding, and ising sea le els causing coas al looding
(Cope nicus Clima e Change Se ice (C3S), 2024). The clima e isks di e be ween Eu opean
egions (Table 1).
Ac oss Eu ope, he e is an inc easing numbe o ho days and a dec easing numbe o cold days.
In 2022 a eco d numbe o e y se e e hea s ess days occu ed ( empe a u es be ween 38 and
46 °C), 2023 saw a eco d numbe o ex eme hea s ess days ( empe a u es abo e 46 °C)
(Cope nicus Clima e Change Se ice (C3S), 2024), whe e he dis inc ion be ween se e e, e y
se e e and ex eme hea s ess is ela ed o human he mal com o (acco ding o he Uni e sal
The mal Clima e Index (UTCI), B öde e al., 2012). In 2023, all o Eu ope, apa om he No dic
egion and I eland, expe ienced a leas a ew days o se e e hea s ess ( empe a u es be ween
32 and 38 °C), wi h up o 60–80 days o se e e hea s ess in pa s o sou he n Eu ope. Much o
sou he n Eu ope also expe ienced se e al days o e y se e e hea s ess, wi h up o 80 days
eco ded in sou he n Spain. Pa s o sou he n and eas e n Spain, sou h-wes e n F ance, sou h-
eas e n I aly, sou he n Sa dinia, G eece and wes e n Tu key expe ienced up o 10 days o ex eme
hea s ess (Cope nicus Clima e Change Se ice (C3S), 2024).
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Hea wa es co espond o excep ional ci cums ances. The e is no in e na ionally ag eed de ini ion
o a hea wa e. Acco ding o he Eu opean S a e o he Clima e 2023 (Cope nicus Clima e Change
Se ice (C3S), 2024), a hea wa e is a pe iod o a leas h ee days wi h he daily ai empe a u e
minima and maxima exceeding he highes 5 % o alues o ha day du ing 1991–2020.
Acco ding o he Eu opean Clima e Adap a ion Pla o m (Clima e-ADAPT), a hea wa e is a pe iod
o a leas h ee days wi h he daily ai empe a u e maxima exceeding he 99 h pe cen ile o he
May o Sep embe season du ing a e e ence pe iod. Hea wa es a e ge ing mo e equen in
Eu ope (Baldi, Dalu, Ma acchi, Pasqui, & Cesa one, 2006; Zampie i e al., 2016). The
Medi e anean a ea is a clima e change ho spo as i s ands ou as one o he mos c i ical a eas
o hea wa es (E hymiadis, Goodess, & Jones, 2011; Gio gi, 2006; Gio gi & Lionello, 2008;
Ulb ich e al., 2012). This speci ic clima e signal has become mo e e iden in he second hal o
he 20 h cen u y and his end is e y likely o con inue.
Table 1: T ends in clima ic isks in Eu ope acco ding o egion (adap ed om Eu opean En i onmen Agency
EEA, epo 01/2024; The low scena io co esponds o SSP1-2 and he high scena io o SSP3-7 om he 6 h
GIEC epo .
Region No h1 Wes 2 Cen e -Eas 3 Sou h4
Scena io Low High Low High Low High Low High
Mean empe a u e + + + + + + + +
Hea wa e days5 + + + + + + + +
To al p ecipi a ion (+) + ? (-) (+) ? (-) -
Hea y p ecipi a ion (+) + (+) + (+) + (+) +
D ough (-) - ? + ? + + +
1I eland, No way, Sweden, Finland, Denma k, Es onia, La ia, Li huania
2F ance, Belgium, Ne he lands, Ge many, Swi ze land, Aus ia
3Poland, Czech Republic, Slo akia, Hunga y, Romania, Bulga ia
4Po ugal, Spain, I aly, Slo enia, C oa ia, Bosnia, Mon eneg o, Koso o, Se bia, Macedonia, G eece, Tu key
5Days wi h a maximum empe a u e > 35 °C
+, inc ease; -, dec ease; (), limi ed ag eemen be ween models; ?, low con idence in di ec ion o change
7 How o ensu e he mal com o
When he ambien en i onmen al condi ions and he animal di e in hei empe a u e, he mal
ene gy is exchanged be ween hem in he o m o sensible ene gy exchanges, by he mal
adia ion, con ec ion o conduc ion, o la en ene gy exchanges (Ho , 2013). The mal adia ion
co esponds o hea ans e by elec omagne ic wa es; ei he om he sun o su aces o he
en i onmen no necessa ily in con ac wi h he animal. Conduc ion esul s om physical con ac
(di ec molecula collision) wi h he en i onmen . Con ec ion co esponds o in e nal mo emen s
o a luid (ai , wa e , …), in ol ing he anspo o he p ope ies o he luid's pa icles as i
mo es. The di e ence in empe a u e be ween an animal and a su ounding luid can induce
con ec ion which in u n inc eases exchanges by conduc ion be ween an animal and i s
en i onmen . This p ocess is some imes mis akenly e e ed o as con ec ion. La en exchanges
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
19
esul om liquid- o- apou changes called e apo a ion, a p ocess ha consumes ene gy.
Main aining he animal wi hin i s TNZ can be achie ed h ough animal managemen ( o inc ease
o educe i s p oduc ion o hea ) o ac ing on he en i onmen o op imise adia ion, conduc ion,
con ec ion o e apo a ion (Figu e 2).
Figu e 2: Hea exchanges be ween he animal and he en i onmen . No e ha conduc ion happens no only
ia con ac wi h he g ound bu also ia he con ac o any pa o he body and he su ounding and can
be inc eased by con ec ion (especially o he ai ).
7.1 P o ec ion agains hea
7.1.1 Limi ing he p oduc ion o hea by he animal
Feeding con ibu es la gely o he p oduc ion o me abolic hea by he animal. Mi iga ion s a egies
include mo ing eed dis ibu ion o he cooles pe iods o he day (end o a e noon and nigh )
and by educing he amoun o ca bohyd a es, especially o age ( e iewed by B own-B andl,
2013). In uminan s, mo e concen a es and mo e lipids can be inco po a ed o he die (Yaso hai,
2014).
Access o wa e is essen ial du ing ho ambian condi ions. D inking cool wa e helps o dissipa e
body hea ( e iewed by B own-B andl, 2013). Ha ing access o wa e a 24–28 °C a he han
38–44 °C helps sheep main ain hei eed in ake and body weigh in case o ho wea he (De e
al., 2020). Also, he need o wa e is inc eased due o e apo a ion o wa e om he skin (see
below). Dai y cows d ink mo e in he case o ho wea he , e.g. 1.2 L mo e pe 1 °C inc ease
(Mu phy, Da is, & McCoy, 1983).
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
20
The p esence o o he animals inc eases he exchange o hea . The e o e, high s ocking densi y
and o e c owding inc ease he isk o hea s ess du ing high ambien empe a u es. Animals
should ha e a la ge space allowance when hey a e housed indoo s o shade when ou doo s.
Sheep ne e heless o en ga he in he same place (usually shaded o wi h some ai d augh ) in
he case o hea , hey lowe hei head p esumably o bene i om he shade made by o he
animals.
Muscle ac i i y also p oduces hea . Typically, body empe a u e ises du ing physical exe cise and
may equi e a ew hou s o e u n o ini ial le els; e.g. body empe a u e can inc ease om 38 °C
o nea ly 41 °C in ca le handled and es ained in a squeeze chu e (T.M. B own-B andl, 2013). I
is hus ecommended no o handle, mo e o anspo animals du ing high ambien empe a u es.
Simila ly, wo king animals should also no wo k du ing such condi ions (Sossidou, Te ma zidou,
Ma inou, Ce asoli, & Collins, 2024). Modi ying milking imes o dai y animals should also be
conside ed, e.g. milking ea ly in he mo ning and la e a nigh o a oid mo ing animals du ing ho
imes o he day.
In ho condi ions, uminan s kep ou doo s on ex ensi ely managed pas u es should ecei e
special a en ion. In ho condi ions, pas u e o age may be sca ce and o low quali y ( ib ous)
which inc eases he p oduc ion o me abolic hea . Animals will hen su e om bo h hea and
unde nu i ion. In addi ion, hey may ha e o walk mo e o ind hei ood o o ind wa e ,
inc easing hea load due o physical exe cise. In ho condi ions, animals kep ou doo s a pas u e
may hus need o be supplemen ed wi h p o ein and a o adequa ely mee hei nu i ional needs
while limi ing hea p oduc ion (Silaniko e 2000), access o wa e needs o be acili a ed ( o
p e en animals om walking long dis ances), and shade mus be a ailable (see below).
7.1.2 Reducing hea load om he en i onmen
7.1.2.1 Limi ing adia ion
Shade educes exposu e o sola adia ion. In he case o ho wea he , animals look o shade and
his lowe s hei body empe a u e (Edwa ds-Callaway e al., 2020; Veissie e al., 2018). Shade
can be p o ided ou doo s wi h ees o a i icial shel e s, o a combina ion o bo h, e.g. clo h
s e ched be ween ees (Veissie e al., 2018). When shade is p o ided wi h a shel e , i is
essen ial ha he oo o he shel e is high enough o insula ed o educe adia ion om he oo
and allow ai ci cula ion, and he shel e should be o ien ed so as o bene i om p e ailing wind
(Nienabe & LeRoy Hahn, 2004; Shoshani & He z oni, 2013).
Cool oo designs ha e p ima ily been de eloped o humans o op imise he e lec ion o sola
adia ion. They a e ypically co e ed wi h whi e ma e ials. Such cool oo s a e e icien a educing
he empe a u e inside ba ns (by a leas 3 °C) and he impac o ho wea he on animals (e.g.
limi ing he educ ion in milk p oduc ion) (San unione, Libb a, & Muscio, 2017).
Sola panels a e becoming popula as a means o p o ide shade a pas u e. Indeed, sola panels
can educe 30–40 % hea load om sola adia ion a i s peak du ing he day. Sheep and ca le
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21
seek shade unde sola panels du ing high sola adia ion, which lowe s he inc ease in body
su ace empe a u e (Ca alho Fonsêca e al., 2023; Fa ia e al., 2023).
In case o e y ho wea he , animals may be mo ed indoo s du ing he day o a oid he ho es
hou s, and hey may g aze a nigh (Fou nel, Ouelle , & Cha bonneau, 2017).
In he no he n hemisphe e, pas u es o ou doo paddocks exposed sou h, wes , o sou h-wes
ecei e he mos sola adia ion. To mi iga e agains hea s ess, animals can be kep a
pas u es wi h lowe exposu e o sola adia ion ( e iewed by T.M. B own-B andl, 2013).
Simila ly, in summe , ai empe a u e in hu ches can be abo e he TNZ o cal es; i is he e o e
ecommended o place hem acing no h o eas (Bakony, Ju ko ich, Kiss, & Ko ács, 2021).
7.1.2.2 Accele a ing con ec ion
Hea losses by con ec ion can be inc eased indoo s using ans o op imising ba n en ila ion on
he condi ion ha he ai is coole han he animal. Ba ns o uminan s ypically use na u al
en ila ion, wi h ai en e ing he ba n om low openings on he building sides and going ou o
he building h ough openings on he building idge (Ho , 2013).
7.1.2.3 Facili a ing e apo a ion and conduc ion
The p inciple o e apo a ion can be used o cool he ai ha en e s a ba n. This can be ob ained
wi h ans equipped wi h sp inkle s (Bleizgys, Naujokienė, & Čėsna, 2022). E apo a ion is mo e
o en a ge ed a he animals, i.e. wa e om he skin su ace e apo a ing hus allowing animals
o dec ease hei body empe a u e. E apo a ion om animals can be inc eased using sp inkle s
and inc easing ai speed wi h ans (D'Emilio, Po o, Cascone, Bella, & Gulino, 2017; Pé ez-Ba be ía
e al., 2021; Vi ali, G ossi, & Lace e a, 2024). To be mo e e ec i e, he wa e mus en e he hai
coa a he han s aying a i s su ace. The e o e, mis e s a e conside ed less e ec i e o inc ease
e apo a ion han sp inkle s (Mi loehne e al., 2001, ci ed by T.M. B own-B andl, 2013). Sp aying
wa e wi h sp inkle s aba es body empe a u e by e apo a ion and conduc ion (T esoldi, Schü z,
& Tucke , 2018).
Wallowing and ba hing a e na u al beha iou s o wa e bu aloes o comba ho wea he
(Napoli ano, Pacelli, G asso, B aghie i, & De Rosa, 2013). In a m condi ions, bu aloes may no
ha e access o wa e and mud o pe o m such beha iou s and should be sp ayed wi h cool wa e
in case o ho wea he (Bah, Shahid, Pasha, & Ja ed, 2022). A pool wi h cool wa e has
ne e heless been used wi h success o educe hea s ess in Alpacas in a zoo in a ho egion
whe eas Alpacas a e na i e o cold egions and su e om hea (Peng, Fu, Lee, & Tsai, 2019).
Wa e is mo e conduc i e han o ganic ma e ial like s aw. The li e o he g ound mus be kep
clean om manu e and d ained o educe hea load ( e iewed by B own-B andl, 2013). When
mis e s and sp inkle s a e used, p ope d ainage o he acili ies mus be ensu ed o a oid
s agnan wa e .
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The mal com o in uminan s and equines
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7.2 P o ec ion agains cold
In cold condi ions, one can ac by inc easing hea p oduc ion by animals, limi ing hea losses (by
con ec ion, conduc ion, o e apo a ion), and p o iding ex a hea .
7.2.1 Inc easing he p oduc ion o hea by he animal
In uminan s, he diges ion o oughage inc eases me abolic hea p oduc ion. The e o e, hei die
should con ain a la ge p opo ion o oughage in cold wea he . A he same ime he animals need
mo e ene gy o main ain hei body empe a u e. I is hus essen ial ha oughage o good quali y
is o e ed and in la ge amoun s.
In uminan s, d inking e y cold wa e can a ec uminal e men a ion (by dec easing he uminal
empe a u e). Animals end o d ink less du ing cold wea he . Thus, uminan s and equines should
be p o ided wa m wa e (e.g. 31 °C, Pe e sen, Muscha, Mulliniks, & Robe s, 2016) in cold
condi ions. In some cold egions, hea ed d inke s a e used, which a oid eezing o he wa e and
op imise wa e in ake.
Finally, main aining animals in g oups a he han alone allows hem o bene i om he hea o
o he s; his is pa icula ly ue o young animals ha s ay wi h hei dam.
7.2.2 Limi ing hea losses
The impac o cold ambien empe a u es is inc eased by exposu e o wind and p ecipi a ion.
Indoo housing p o ec s he animals agains wind, ain and snow. Al e na i ely, animals, excep
young ones, can s ay ou doo s in case o cold wea he in Eu opean condi ions, p o ided hey ha e
access o shel e (Van Lae , Moons, Sonck, & Tuy ens, 2014). The shel e should be o ien ed o
p o ec animals agains dominan winds. Animals can also use na u al shel e om ees and
bushes (Van Lae e al., 2015). Vulne able animals, including young animals, may equi e ex a
p o ec ion wi h jacke s. Deep bedding bu e s he animals om a cold loo o g ound, limi ing
hea loss by conduc ion.
7.2.3 P o iding ex a hea
In mos EU coun ies, uminan s and equines do no need o he measu es han hose men ioned
abo e o esis cold. This, howe e , is no ue o young animals (e.g. cal es, lambs, kids).
Radian hea lamps a e o en used o hese animals (Ho , 2013), which ans e hea o animals
by adia ion.
7.2.4 Special case: pa u i ion and neona es
Neona es a e e y sensi i e o he mal condi ions, especially cold. In case o cold condi ions (below
TNZ), i is essen ial ha neona es a e kep in a well-bedded shel e ha p o ides p o ec ion om
wind / ai d augh s and ha hey a e ed inc eased amoun s o colos um o milk ( e iewed by
Sil a e al., 2021). The bedding, e.g. s aw, should be d y and deep enough o allow neona es o
nes le in o i . The ene gy equi emen s o neona es a e highe du ing cold ambien empe a u e;
o ins ance, a -10°C, he ene gy equi emen o body main enance o a cal is wice ha a 20
°C (D ackley, 2008). Colos um is e y nu i i e and helps he neona e o cope wi h cold (Fe nanda
La inia Mou a Sil a e al., 2021). An addi ional p o ision o colos um is necessa y when he
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23
ambien empe a u e d ops below LCT. In addi ion, as men ioned abo e, adian lamps can help
young animals keep wa m. Neona es bo n om a dys ocial pa u i ion and win neona es a e
especially sensi i e o cold because o a low hea p oduc ion esul ing om a low mobilisa ion o
body lipids due o low plasma hy oid ho mone le els (Mas e s e al., 2023; Ve mo el, Da dilla ,
Ve ne , Da icco, & Demigne, 1983). They should hus ecei e ex a ca e in cold condi ions.
In case pa u i ion is likely o ake place du ing cold wea he , i is impo an ha emales ecei e
inc eased amoun s o ood du ing he las hi d o ges a ion o ensu e adequa e p oduc ion o
colos um o p o ec he neona e. When app oaching pa u i ion, emales should be able o isola e
om he es o he he d, e.g. hey can be placed in a pa u i ion pen wi h a clean, d y and deep
bedding and wi h p o ec ion agains d augh s. The neona e mus be ca e ully moni o ed: i he
dam does no lick he neona e, i mus be d ied, and he in ake o colos um mus be checked. As
a las eso , e.g. i he cal is weak, colos um may be p o ided ia an oesophageal ube (See
hema ic ac shee ‘Colos um p o ision o cal es’).
8 Key ac o s o ocus on du ing wel a e inspec ions
Animal-based measu es, such as beha iou (e.g. changes in lying s. s anding ime, animals
ga he ing, sea ching o sun s. shade), espi a ion, and body empe a u e, can be used o assess
i animals su e om cold o hea s ess. One can also conside ambien pa ame e s ( empe a u e,
humidi y, ai speed and adia ion). Howe e , i is unlikely ha an inspec o will be p esen on he
days when he mal s ess occu s. The e o e, i is impo an o assess he isk o he mal s ess
acco ding o he season, he egion and ac i i y (e.g. p oduc ion sys em). The e is mo e isk o
an animal o su e om cold s ess in No dic o moun ainous egions, especially in win e , and
om hea s ess in Medi e anean egions, especially in summe . Depending on he mos p e alen
isks (cold s. hea s ess), mi iga ion s a egies (e.g. shel e , en ila ion, modi ica ion o he die )
mus be conside ed (Tables 2 & 3).
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Table 2: Indica o s o cold and hea s ess
A ea Indica o s o isks o cold s ess Indica o s o isks o hea s ess
Animal1
Dec eased body co e empe a u e Inc eased body co e empe a u e
Goose bumps, piloe ec ion Inc eased skin empe a u e
Shi e ing Swea ing
Vasocons ic ion Pan ing
Inc eased hea a e Inc eased espi a o y a e
Reduced eed in ake
Reduced milk p oduc ion
Dec eased e ili y
Inc eased glycemia2 Inc eased co isol2
Inc eased ime spen lying Inc eased ime spen s anding
Ambien condi ions
Tempe a u e below LCT Tempe a u e abo e UCT
Humidi y Humidi y
Ai speed (nega i e impac ) Ai speed (posi i e impac )
Sola adia ion
Risks (depending on
egion & season) Es ima ed equency o cold days Es ima ed equency o hea days
1Animal’s eac ions o cold s. hea a y wi h species
2No applicable du ing on- a m inspec ion
Table 3: Indica o s o mi iga ion s a egies
Mi iga ion s a egies agains cold
Mi iga ion s a egies agains hea
P o ec ions in place
La ge amoun s o good quali y oughage in
die
Low- ib e die
Feeding du ing cooles hou s
Wa m d inking wa e Cool d inking wa e
Animals in g oups La ge space allowance / animal
P o ec ion agains wind, shel e
Inc ease in con ec ion and e apo a ion:
Ven ila ion and ans possibly combined wi h
sp inkle s in ba ns; pool wi h cool wa e o
bu aloes
P o ec ion agains adia ion: shade; cool oo s;
hu ches, paddocks, pas u es exposed no h o
eas
Deep bedding D y li e o g ound
Fo young animals: adian lamps, jacke s A oidance o physical exe cise (handling,
mo ing, anspo , wo k)
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9 Gaps in knowledge and u he s udies needed
The ollowing gaps in knowledge we e iden i ied:
• Lack o in o ma ion o some species o animal ypes:
- young animals (e.g. lambs, goa kids)
- hei e s. They may adap o cold mo e han cal es bu do no gene a e as much hea
as lac a ing cows and hus may adap less o cold s ess bu mo e easily o hea s ess
han cows.
- ce ids
- donkeys and equine hyb ids
• Lack o in o ma ion on LCT (specially depending on animal age)
• Need o mo e om THI o mo e sophis ica ed indices e.g. o include adia ion, ai speed (e.g.
HLI)
• Need o conside he accumula ed e ec o hea (e.g. using AHL)
• Need o cla i y he concep o he mal com o zones/deg ees o he mal s ess and alida e
animal-based measu es: hese zones depend no only on en i onmen al condi ions bu also
on he po en ial o adap a ion o animals (acco ding o species, age and p oduc ion phase).
10 Conclusions
The mal com o is becoming a p essing issue in mos Eu opean coun ies due o clima e change
ha has inc eased a e age empe a u es and he equency and du a ion o hea wa es. In
gene al, a med uminan s and equines show signs o he mal discom o in he case o hea
(polypnea, pan ing, elease o s ess ho mones, beha iou al changes (e.g. changes in lying and
s anding ime), educ ion in eed in ake and in dai y animals, educ ion in milk p oduc ion). Hea
s ess should be mi iga ed by p o iding shade and shel e ou doo s and en ila ion in housing.
Wa e sp inkle s should also be conside ed o species and in egions mos p one o hea wa es.
Addi ionally, access o cool o cold wa e , and limi ing handling and physical exe cise, as well as
adap ing die and eeding managemen a e key mi iga ion s a egies o hea s ess.
By con as , in win e , animals may be subjec ed o cold s ess, especially when empe a u es all
below 0 °C. D augh s and humidi y should be a oided o limi he e ec s o cold while deep
bedding helps animals o main ain hei body empe a u e. Young animals a e mo e sensi i e o
cold and can equi e supplemen a y hea ing.
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REV-Ruminan s-Equines-2024-01-EN
Ve sion 2 – No embe 2025
The mal com o in uminan s and equines
Abou EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines is he hi d
Eu opean Union Re e ence Cen e o Animal
Wel a e. I ocuses on uminan and equine
wel a e and legisla ion, and co e s he en i e li e
cycle om bi h o he end o li e. EURCAW
Ruminan s & Equines’ main objec i e is a
ha monised compliance wi h EU legisla ion
ega ding wel a e in EU Membe S a es. This
includes:
• Di ec i e 98/58/EC conce ning he p o ec ion
o animals kep on a ms;
• Regula ions 1/2005/EC and 1099/2009/EC
conce ning hei p o ec ion du ing anspo
and slaugh e ;
• Di ec i e 2010/63/EU conce ning he
p o ec ion o animals used o scien i ic
pu poses;
• Di ec i e 2008/119/EC laying down minimum
s anda ds o he p o ec ion o cal es.
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines suppo s:
• Inspec o s o Compe en Au ho i ies (CAs);
• Ruminan and equine wel a e policy wo ke s;
• Bodies suppo ing CAs wi h scien i ic
expe ise, aining, and communica ion.
Websi e and con ac
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines’ websi e o e s
ele an and ac ual in o ma ion o suppo
en o cemen o uminan and equine wel a e
legisla ion.
We o e a ‘Ques ions o EURCAW’ se ice o
o icial inspec o s, policy wo ke s, and o he
pe sonnel p o iding ad ice o suppo o o icial
con ols o uminan and equine wel a e in he EU.
Fo mo e in o ma ion go o h ps://www.eu caw-
uminan s-equines.eu/ques ions- o-eu caw/.
Ac i i ies o EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines
• Coo dina ed Assis ance
P o iding suppo , ne wo king and Ques ions
o EURCAW;
• Wel a e indica o s, Assessmen & Bes
P ac ice
Iden i ying animal wel a e indica o s,
including animal based, managemen based
and esou ce-based indica o s, ha can be
used o e i y compliance wi h he EU
legisla ion;
• Scien i ic and echnical s udies
P epa ing Scien i ic Re iews o knowledge on
wel a e opics and iden i y esea ch needs;
• T aining
De eloping aining ma e ials and aining
s anda ds o o icial inspec o s;
• Communica ion and Dissemina ion
Inc easing awa eness o ou ou pu s ia he
websi e, wi e , and newsle e ;
Pa ne s
EURCAW Ruminan s & Equines ecei es unding
om DG SANTE o he Eu opean Commission and
ep esen s a collabo a ion be ween he ollowing
six pa ne ins i u ions:
• Swedish Uni e si y o Ag icul u al Sciences,
Sweden
• Is i u o Zoop o ila ico Spe imen ale
dell'Ab uzzo e del Molise “G. Capo ale”, I aly
• F ench Na ional Ins i u e o Ag icul u e, Food,
and En i onmen , F ance
• Uni e si y o Na u al Resou ces and Li e
Sciences, Vienna, Aus ia
• Uni e si y College Dublin, I eland
• Ellinikos Geo gikos O ganismos-
Dimi a/Ve e ina y Resea ch Ins i u e, G eece
