Perspectives for the integration of the requirements of animal welfare andenvironmental compatibility in animal housing systems

For the system concept to be sustainable and successful, the requirements o f animal welfare and environmental compatibility shall be integrated into i t. In dairy farming, a major factor in ammonia emission is the flooring system . Solid floors can reduce ammonia emissions by approx. 50%. The surface sho uld have a certain structure, however, as slipperiness of solid concrete su rfaces can deteriorate the walking comfort of cows. Full automation of the milking process may give rise to questions as regard s animal welfare, but the advantages of it are substantial. In case of temp orarily keeping the animals inside, combined with grazing, the total emissi on of ammonia will increase. In pig farming, at the time, the point of action to bring the ammonia emiss ion down is reducing the emitting floor area. Therefore, the main tendency is towards partially slatted floors with adequate inside climate control me asures to prevent the floors from being fouled in the hotter seasons. Integ rated solutions for the ammonia and odour emissions as well as the slurry p roduct marketing problem are being developed. Animal welfare requirements in poultry farming have resulted in several lit tered housing systems. By means of aeration of litter and adequate litter m anagement, the ammonia emission can be strongly reduced. It has to be concluded that there are adequate perspectives for sustainable animal husbandry systems for the future.