Animal welfare
Animal welfare is an established concern and is associated with strong expectations from the public community. For ICFA, one of the founding objectives of crocodilian farming was to support the conservation of wild populations. Animal welfare has therefore been a fundamental priority from the outset.
The ICFA Standard is science based and results oriented, and it aligns with the principles of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE). Rather than relying solely on prescriptive procedures, conformity is evaluated through direct observation of animal behaviour and other outcome-based indicators. Factors that affect an animal’s welfare include its physical environment and the resources available to the animal, such as space allowances and housing conditions, as well as the management practices undertaken on the farm, such as provision of pain relief during husbandry procedures, veterinary treatment, and animal handling methods. Animal based measures are the preferred method for determining an animal’s welfare state because they relate specifically to the animal, for example behaviour, body condition, and health. This approach reflects international best practice and recognises the importance of animals’ needs, biological functioning, and sentience.
A humane killing process for crocodilians ensures that animal welfare is protected throughout. The use of a captive bolt is a direct killing method. The device is designed to deliver a controlled blow to the head of the crocodilian, followed by penetration of the bolt into the brain, which is approximately the size of a walnut in a 300-kilogram crocodile. This results in the immediate and permanent abolition of brain activity (brain death) (WOAH, 2024).
All ICFA member farms are committed to certification against the Standard and to continuous improvement in animal welfare. Ongoing research programs are being developed to strengthen the scientific basis for crocodilian welfare assessment and monitoring.
In summary, the ICFA Standard provides a science based, results oriented framework that places animal welfare at the centre of crocodilian farming. It emphasises assessment through animal-based indicators, ensures that farms meet internationally aligned welfare principles, and promotes continuous improvement supported by ongoing research. Through responsible husbandry practices, evidence-based management, and a humane killing process, ICFA member farms work to safeguard crocodilian welfare throughout the production cycle.
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare (WOAH)
- Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom from physical or thermal discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- Freedom to express natural behavior