[Welfare or absence of welfare in farm animals (author's transl)]

A particular adjustment of the Live-Stock Act in the Netherlands is advocated in a brief comment on problems of welfare in intensive live-stock farming. The appointment of veterinary inspectors under the Veterinary Service may provide both temporary solutions and permanent supervision. The necessary knowledge and flexibility as well as a committee of arbitration will be essential in this scheme. This would also appear to be in accordance with suggestions by the Minister of Agriculture. International co-ordination and settlement of financial consequences are a prerequisite. Further studies on the veterinary criteria of animal welfare will be required in addition to an ethological approach.