What is this?

The Five Freedoms is an international set of ideals for animal welfare.
Each freedom defines steps to safeguard and improve welfare within the constraints of an effective livestock industry.

The Five Freedoms benefit an animal’s physical and mental state, as the freedoms consider good animal welfare to be both physical health and a sense of wellbeing.

The Five Freedoms is an international set of ideals for animal welfare.
Each freedom defines steps to safeguard and improve welfare within the constraints of an effective livestock industry. More

Why is it important?

The Five Freedoms is a set of simple guidelines promoting good animal welfare. Its philosophy is linked with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and codes of welfare.

The Five Freedoms can be applied whether an animal is on-farm, in transit, at market or a place of slaughter.

The Five Freedoms is a set of simple guidelines promoting good animal welfare. Its philosophy is linked with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and codes of welfare. More

What do I need to do?

Make sure you and your staff understand the Five Freedoms and how to apply them to the farm business.

See our examples for using the freedoms in a day-to-day context. Maintaining good animal welfare will have flow-on benefits for the farming business.

Make sure you and your staff understand the Five Freedoms and how to apply them to the farm business.

See our examples for using the freedoms in a day-to-day context. Maintaining good animal welfare will have flow-on benefits for the farming business. More
Health & Welfare progress

Five Freedoms

The foundation of animal welfare is centred around the Five Freedoms.

Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
e.g. Making sure stock have enough food and water of the right quantity and quality to meet their daily needs

Freedom from discomfort
e.g. Providing an environment that gives shelter and shade; sheds for newborn calves

Freedom from pain, injury or disease
e.g. Vaccination programme to protect against clostridial disease; drenching for internal parasites; pain relief for lame cows; safe facilities for handling animals

Freedom to express normal behaviour
e.g. Providing underfoot conditions to encourage cows to sit on the wintering pad

Freedom from fear and distress
e.g. Not keeping animals on their own away from the herd, handling animals calmly and gently during milking

You can find a copy of the Five Freedoms in your Compliance Toolkit folder.

Would you like to print another copy to give to your staff?