Effects of animal welfare measures on milk sheep and goat quality and dairy production in Sardinia

This paper will explore how the massive application of animal welfare on the sheep sector in Sardinia has been implemented both from the point of view of the effectiveness and efficiency of the interventions of the EU measure which has made it possible to evaluate the results, both through an analysis of the perception consumers have of the concept of animal welfare on the sheep sector. Wide space has been given to the deepening of the concept of animal welfare is as ethical concept, whether scientific, both as a Community definition. After having extensively analyzed the Community legislation governing the implementation of animal welfare in Europe, have been taken into account the data of the experience gathered in Sardinia by the sheep sector in recent 10 years. Therefore, the present research aims to: (1) highlight the features of this complex and significant policy, which has undergone a few changes over the years; (2) examine the multiple and profound reasons to the source of that policy; (3) see if any ambitious objectives were achieved at the end of the second implementation period in 2015 and (4) identify whether and how the implementation of measures on animal welfare has been instrumental in pushing the livestock industry toward a more modern and rational; (5) try to outline future perspectives from the results achieved. Nevertheless, the current market trends will be examined again to categorize new perspectives in a bi-dimensional reality opportunities and weaknesses to overcome. To describe some prospects in the sixth chapter were analyzed the opinions of stakeholders, to examine in depth the critical remarks on the necessity of the measure and on the advisability of commercial exploitation, and consumers, to analyze in the context of product demand any propensity to purchase products resulting from the respect of animal welfare. Research has shown on an economic basis that the existence of a measure that guarantees public good "welfare of sheep" is still fully justified. Application analytics measure demonstrates the high value and the results achieved through this valuable policy designed and implemented by the region of Sardinia. The future financial situation is the first tough step ahead. The amount and manner of access to financial resources by farmers could drastically change, consider new emergencies facing Europe and the profound change in the global scenario. Whatever the future scenario, the opportunity must be grasped today. On the basis of the new legislation on the CMO, more organizational innovations are possible to improve the Organization of producers and organizing inter-professional and learn to use new tools to plan production and regulate supply, as established in particular for the milk.