Paper Food Ethics

Ethical issues around milking robots used in dairy farming in the Netherlands

May 2011

Course leader: Prof. Dr. M. Korthals Course number: APP-20803 Student: Hilde Boschloo Registration number: 850312107060

Content 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3 2. Moral problem and involved stakeholders................................................................................ 3 2.1 Moral problem ................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Stakeholders....................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.1 Farmer and family ....................................................................................................... 5 2.2.2 Consumers .................................................................................................................. 5 2.2.3 Farmer organisation and manufacturers ...................................................................... 5 2.2.4 Policy makers .............................................................................................................. 6 3. Analysing the ethical issues ...................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Utilitarianism ..................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Deontology........................................................................................................................ 7 3.3 Results and aftercare .............................................................................................................. 7 4. Discussion and own opinion.................................................................................................... 7 5. References ............................................................................................................................... 9

1. Introduction In the mid-1970s the first automatic milking systems (milking robots) have been developed in response to the arduous, time-consuming and costly task op pumping milk from dairy animals on farm (EverytingaboutEquipment, 2009). In the Netherlands the first milking robots on commercial dairy farms appeared in 1992. Records from Boerderij (one of Dutch most important dairy farmer magazines) shown that in 2009 about 2300 milking robots could be found at a total of 1545 farms in the Netherlands (Profnews, 2011). The introduction of milking robots on dairy farms have major effects of both farmer and animals. Thereby research have shown some negative effects on the milk quality on milk obtained by milking robots (Klungel et al, 2000, Slaghuis et al. 2004, van der Vorst and de Koning, 2002 and Animal Sciences Group, 2005). facts around dairy farms in the Netherlands using milking robots: - Milking robots show maximal utilization when cows are kept inside the stable - Estimated is that 1/3 of the farms using milking robot applies pasture grazing - Combination of milking robots and automatic milking systems is perceived as difficult (Animal Sciences Group, 2005)

Figure I: reasons keeping cows inside (source: Knaap, 2010)

Figure II: size livestock versus % pasture grazing

2. Moral problem and involved stakeholders 2.1 Moral problem Welfare issues in relation to production farm animals is widely debated. In this particular case the moral problems around automatic milking systems in the Netherlands is discussed. When looking at the four basics of moral ethics it can be concluded that some of these basics are neglected when comparing milking with robots with conventional milking (milking with interaction of the farmer). The principle of non-maleficence is based on the idea that you should not inflict harm to others with your actions and practices. Whereas on first sight no direct harm is done to animal during automatic milking with robots, on longer term some chances can be seen. Whereas human interaction is reduced during milking they say the farmer is changed from an animal manager towards a data manager. Lots of aspects around the cow are detected with use of computers. The

problem in this is that the farmer will more often detect critical health issues when a problem already occurs. Whereas in a conversional milking systems this problem is detected in a much earlier state when the farmer 'have the cow in hand' twice a day. I can imagine a problem around lameness. When the farmer sees the cow twice a day he can detect certain lameness problems in a early state. He can check the cow on wounds or irregularities during milking time and may nurture this problem on the spot. Lameness problems with date management will be detects due to the fact that the cow is not shown voluntary to the milking robot. So when the problem might be already in a advanced state. A more concrete example is the udder surgery to adjust udders to milking robots. A veterinary practices in the Netherlands is using surgery to make odd shaped udders suitable for the milking robots. They argue that this saves the cow from being culled because it doesn't fit in the milking robot (Vetsweb, 2010). Whereas common sense would subject to make slight robot changes to made this possible. But this cost probably to much time and money. The principle of beneficence is based on the idea that you should do good to others in your practices and promote what is good. When looking at milk production is widely proven that a happy an healthy cow produces good milk. Besides fresh air and good nutrition it is very important that cows have enough space to move and to lie down (Friesland Campina, 2011). I believe that grazing outside is one of the main issues which contribute towards a happy and healthy state of the cow. As presented before the milking robots is utilized at a maximum when cow are kept inside of the stable. This results often that cows are even less exposed to pasture than with conventional milking. From this ethical point of few hereby we do not promote what is good for the animal. The principle of respect for autonomy is based on the idea that you respect, in your actions and practice, the authenticity and uniqueness of others and especially their own choices as far as possible. Dairy farming in general can be debated whether this is the choice of the animal. However today is more becomes a philosophic discussion. From a milking with robots point of few some will argue that the cow will go voluntary enter the milking machine at a point the cow prefers most. On one hand that's true but on the other hand the cow is triggered to go inside the milking area because he knows he will get some concentrate feed which they like. So actually I consider this as an unnatural way of voluntary entry. Thereby most cows do not have the choice anymore to go outside for grazing. Whereas if they had the choice they would like to be outside for some hours. So looking at the statement of this moral issues, it is possible for most farmers to give their cows the possibility to go outside, but most cows do not get this possibility anymore. Another aspect is the hierarchy in the herd. Cows who are kept inside suffer more from stress whereas they have to deal with hierarchy. Especially during feeding moments cows in a lower grade will move away form cows higher in grade. Whereas with grazing at pasture every cow can eat whenever and as much as she likes. The principle of justice is based on the idea that your actions and practices should be aimed at a just and fair treatment of others and at an equitable distribution of costs and benefits. I think it can be debated whether or not the costs and benefits are equal in this case. Most often the only thing which matters in this case is a maximize the utility of the milking machine. Investment costs for certain machines are very high and have to be earned back. I think the costs and benefits are totally not equally divided. And cows have to suffer from the this new developments in the dairy industry. It can be seen that automatic milking machines can be debated in several way. For further investigation of this case I will take one concrete aspect of milking with robots to discuss this moral question.

Moral question: Is it ethical to neglect animals natural preferences for grazing outside in favour for optimizing the utility of milking robots. On first sight this problem can easily be solved. Whereas milking with robots can go together with grazing, the farmers should become more triggered to work with a pasture system. However, this will always result in a more labour intense business and a reduce of milk yield per cow on the longer term which is not preferred by the farmer. 2.2 Stakeholders The first question which can be discussed are the stakeholders in this case. Stakeholders can be defines as 'any group of people, organised or unorganised who share a common interest or stake in a particular issue or system' (Grimble and Wellard, 1997 found in Calker 2005). Than the question rises how should you indicate the stakeholders of a milking robots? Will you indicate stakeholders of milking robots as everybody who have some interest in milk? Or will you indicate stakeholders only as the farmer/family and the animals (whereas it is still the farmers choice which milking system he will use). I will consider this case as an interest for everyone who consumes and have interests in milk. When looking at this dairy farm I consider stakeholders the farmer and his family, consumers, farmer organisations, manufacturers and policy makers. 2.2.1 Farmer and family For farmers the milking robots is a development which makes it possible to become more flexible. The pressure of two times milking a day will be less and work can be planned whenever it suits the farmer. Family and social life can be combined much better in a situation with a milking robot. Another benefit of milking robots is that it gives farmers the possibility to expand the business (milking more cows) without the need of more labour. A negative sight effect of milking robots is that they are very expensive and such investment are really a long term decision. This often results that the farmer really wants to maximize the utility of the robots which often results in stabling the cows. 2.2.2 Consumers Consumers are not directly involved in the problem of milking robots. However more and more consumers in the Netherlands find animal treatment an important factor in society. When looking in supermarkets the organic food assortment is growing. Not only organic food but also products like 'weidemelk' from friesche vlag becomes more and more attractive to consumers. The Dutch consumers would like to see cows getting access to pasture. Weidemelk is not an organic product, but for example Friesche vlag give the 'weidemelkgarantie' to these products. This means that milk in this products comes from farms where cows have access to pasture for a minimum of 120 days a year for at least 6 hours a day (Frische vlag, 2011, Boerderij 2007). From this point of view consumers indirectly give their preference. And will probably react negatively towards milking robots when they find out this have negative influence on cows in relation to grazing options. 2.2.3 Farmer organisation and manufacturers LTO is the most important Dutch agricultural farmer organisation in the Netherlands. LTO encourage an animal production sector that takes care of their animals and farmer that are willing to work with production systems wherein animal can explore their natural behaviour and whereby interventions on the animal is not necessary (LTO, 2007). Hereby they argue that the today's international economic competition does not make it possible to fulfil all their wishes yet. The today's production systems mainly aim for a healthy animal which is the first required issues. They are working on development of housing and business management whereby the natural 5

needs for animals will be an important factor (LTO, 2007). From this point of few I conclude that they are not directly against the introduction of milking robots, but will work on the development of animal treatment in certain systems. Beside the farmer organisation the manufacturers have the same interest. As already described in the consumer part, consumers like to see the cows grazing. For industrial producers like Friesland Campina it's important to listen to the wishes of the consumer to be able to grow in the market. Recently Friesland Campina had a big discussion with their farmers. Friesland Campina introduce the idea that in 2020 80% of all dairy cows should have access to pasture. Not only farmers with milking robots, but also conventional farmers came in action against these ideas. They argue that grazing cows do not provide maximum turnovers. They where actually very angry that Friesland Campina forces these new ideas to be the new standard and argue that they do not earn enough for their milk to be able to meet with this new standard. Even a public debate started around this question. On 17 May 2011 Nieuwsuur pays attention towards this subject. Which again resulted in a political debate. Link to the video from Nieuwsuur about 'koe in de wei' http://nieuwsuur.nl/video/241361-koe-in-de-wei-stuit-op-tegenstand-boeren.html 2.2.4 Policy makers After broadcasting the topic in Nieuwsuur a new debate is started. Several 'Kamer vragen' where submitted to the 'staatssecretaris' from Economic, Agriculture and Innovation at 23 May 2011. Questions like: Is the image presented in Nieuwsuur correct that one quarter of all diary cows never have access to pasture? and Do you agree that cows who are always stabled is an encroachment on animal welfare? if not why not? (Kamervragen, 2011) Unfortunately these question have not been answered yet. However today's new government includes the new political party 'Partij voor de dieren' for which animal welfare is the main priority. In the coming few years it will be interesting to see how this will affect the dairy industry and aspects like milking robots in relation with grazing. 3. Analysing the ethical issues Animal welfare and how animals should be kept in production farms is a very old but still a hot topic. Several rules and regulations can be found towards this topic, nevertheless these can be interpreted differently. In chapter the moral issue of to neglecting animals natural preferences for grazing outside in favour for optimizing the utility of milking robots is discussed based on utilitarianism and deontology reasoning. 3.1 Utilitarianism Utilitarianism provides the idea that ethical issues should be analysed towards the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Hereby taken into account the cost en benefit approach. In this case I argue that it is not ethical to stable dairy cows 24/7 all year round. However, this farming approach show several benefits. The milking machine is operated at a maximum utility. This means a higher milk yield. The more yield per cow means more food production for humans, or less cows needed to produce the same amount of milk. Thereby keeping animals inside also have some environmental benefits. Whereas dairy farming has big influence on the environment farmers have to work towards strict environmental rules and regulations. The government wants to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. This results that in some cases it gives beneficial effect for the farmer, and this case the environment, to keep the cows inside. The ones who suffers from this case are the dairy cows. However in general it is not such a broad discussion because the animals are not sick or directly badly treated. But still this should be seen as a major costs.

3.2 Deontology Deontology reasoning is a difficult one in this case. It should answers which duty and right have a higher priority in this case. What is weighed to be more important; higher milk yield per cow in a cleaner environment and more free time for the farmer, or animal welfare and natural behaviour. Farmers have some described obligations towards their animals. They are described as the 'five feedoms'. Those are: Freedom from hunger, thirst, malnutrition Freedom from physical and physiological discomfort (rest, shelter) Freedom from pain, injury and diseases Freedom to behave naturally (room, social contact) Freedom from fear and chronical stress (Farm Animal Welfare Council (1979) citied in van der Schans 2004). From this point of view it is can be debated that 'behave naturally' is not really the case in stabling diary cows. However from a 'room' and 'social contact' point of few, stabling should not be a problem. This is exactly why the whole discussion can continue. The describes rules can be interpreted in different ways and nobody really knows where the bottom line is. Research does not show direct relation with pain, injuries and diseases when milking with robots. Nevertheless stabling dairy cows on the longer term increases the risk of more lameness in the herd. This due to the hard surface in the stables. However this is compensated with extra attention to lameness especially in systems using milking robots, because voluntary walking into the robot is a major priority for the farmers. 3.3 Results and aftercare When analysing the ethical issues around milking with robots it can be concluded that this issues also applies towards many conventional systems. Milking with robots however, show more benefits for the farmer due to time management and higher milk yield. When looking at the ethical reasoning it can be concluded that stabling dairy cows is ethical acceptable looking at the rules and regulation of today. When cows are both stabled in conventional systems and in systems where robots are used, milking robots seems to provide slightly more benefits for the farmer and milk yield in relation to conventional farming. Therefore it can be concluded in this case that milking robots may be even more appreciated than conventional systems when cows are stabled 24/7. The animals however, suffer from this decision. Therefore it is most important that the development of production systems like milking robots should be continued. Hereby thinking of the example of utter surgery to adjust cows to milking robots. This is something which may be a solution for this moment, but may never be the desired solution to adjust animals to a certain system. Not only development of the robot itself, but also attention should be given to increase data management on health states of cows. It is important that the farmer detects any irregularities as soon as possible to be able to react on a certain problem. Also problems with grazing in relation with robot milking should be researched and improved. Nowadays even a prototype of a mobile milking robot is already operational (SAC, 2007). This is a development from organic farming, but may also be suitable for non-organic farms. The most important fact is that farmers, farmer organisations, manufacturers and government should always been aware of the fact that natural animal behaviour is neglected at this moment. And find new solutions to improve animal welfare. 4. Discussion and own opinion Animal welfare and animal health is and will be a hot topic. It can be concluded that in the Netherlands the image of the diary industry is very important to stakeholders like farmers, farming organisations and dairy industry. In my opinion the major problem at this moment is the

political behaviour of the government. Farmers are on the one hand forces to keep their animals inside due to environmental issues and maximize milk yield an the other hand stimulated to provide their animals the possibility for grazing activities. I think financial issues will always be the triggering aspects in this kind of situations. A solution for this problem is when the dairy industry could provide fair milk prices for milk from grazing dairy cows. At this moment this balance is negative. I think the government should made-up their mind about the dairy industry. I'm very curious to see how the government will respond to the 'kamervragen' on 'koe in de wei'. I think this issue will become even more interesting in a few years. In 2015 the abolishment of the milk quota will be a fact. This will result in an increase in milk production and from here farmers will become even more exposed to changing milk prices (LEI, 2008). Whereas in certain situations farmers will increase their attention towards animal health, this probably will not stimulate grazing activities for cows. I think it will become even more interesting when the governments decides that grazing should become the standard in the Netherlands. In such a case the government is pulling farmers on two sights. And together with the lower prices I'm curious have the dairy industry will survive. Difficulty in this case can be found that on first sight the moral issue looks quite clear and easy, but after collecting some information this topic is not so easy as it looks. The most important aspect here is that it's not directly the farmer to blame. Although he has the choice and is the final decision maker in the process, rules an regulation and profit are even so important. This topic is interesting because it is not the possible to point the finger towards one of the stakeholders who's to blame. On first sight the farmers are to blame, but when analysing carefully the farmers is most interested to aim for healthy and happy cows. Otherwise the milk production will go down anyway. I think this topic will be a discussion point the following years. especially when in 2015 the milk quota is abolished. This again will rise questions on animal welfare and the question whether or not a cow should have access to pasture.

5. References
Animal Sciences Group (2005) Weidegang in beweging [pdf document] http://www.nvwv.nl/doc/150%20%20Animal%20Sciences%20Group%20weidegang%20in%20bewegin g.pdf accessed on 27-5-2011). Animal Sciences Group (2005) Sporen van boterzuurbacterien plaaggeest van kuil tot kaas [pdf document] http://www.verantwoordeveehouderij.nl/producten/LivestockResearch/software/boterzuurtest/pdf/Br ochureBoterzuur.pdf accessed on 27-5-2011. Boerderij (2007) Meer kennis van boer naar boer [pdf document] http://www.verantwoordeveehouderij.nl/ producten/Koeenwij/Weidenieuws/Melkveehouderij20070306.pdf accessed on 30-5-2011 Calker, K. J. (2005) Sustainability of Dutch dairy farming systems: a modelling approach. [pdf document] http://edepot.wur.nl/36804 accessed on 30-5-2011. EverythingaboutEquipment (2009) Automatic Milking System [www document] http://www.ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php/Automatic_Milking_System accessed on 27-5-2011. Frische Vlag (2011) Weidemelk [www document] http://www.frieschevlag.nl/vers/#/assortiment/merk /weidemelk/ accessed on 30-5-2011. Friesland Campina (2011) Outdoor grazing for dairy cows [www document] http://www.frieslandcampina.com/english/responsibility/outdoor-grazing-weidegang-koe-in-wei.aspx accessedn on 30-5-2011. Kamervragen (2011) Vragen van de leden Gerbrands en Graus (beiden PVV) aan staatssecretaris van Economische Zaken, Landbouw en Innovatie over koeien in de wei (ingezonden 23 mei 2011). [www document] https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kv-tk-2011Z10751.html?grootte=4 accessed on 30-5-2011. Klungel, G. H., Slaghui B. A., Hogeveen H. (2000) The effect of the introduction of automatic milking systems on milk quality. Journal Dariy Science 83:1998-2003 2000. Knaap, van der J (2010) Koe blijft in de wei. Veeteelt April 1 2010 page 40-41. LEI (2008) Afschaffing melkquotum zal leiden tot lagere melkprijs en sterke prijsschommeling. [www document] http://www.lei.wur.nl/nl/nieuwsagenda/archief/nieuws/2008/ Afschaffing_melkquotum_zal_leiden_tot_lagere_melkprijs_en_sterke_prijsschommeling_persbericht.htm accessed on 30-5-2011. LTO (2007) Dierenwelzijn: samen verantwoordelijkheid nemen. [pdf document] http://www.lto.nl/media/default.aspx/emma/org/1205916/v.pdf accessed on 30-5-2011. Profnews (2011) Melkrobot verovert de boerderij [www document] http://www.profnews.nl/907852/melkrobot-verovert-de-boerderij accessed on 27-5-2011. SAC (2007) Mobile milking robot [pdf document] http://www.automaticmilking.dk/Mobilrobot%20 GB_72.pdf accessed on 30-5-2011. Schans van der, J.W. (2004) Value-based farm system design: a contribution from a business ethics perspective [pdf document] http://www.verantwoordeveehouderij.nl/producten/KenOinBalans/Waardeorientaties.pdf accessed on 30-5-2011 Slaghuis B., Jong de O., Bos K., Verstappen-Boerekamp J., Ferwerda-van Zonneveld R. (2004) Milk quality of farms with an automatic milking system - Free fatty acids and automatic milking systems- [pdf

document] http://www.automaticmilking.nl/Projectresults/Reports/Deliverable10.pdf accessed on 27-52011. Vetsweb (2010) Veterinarians adjust udder for milking robots. [www document] http://www.vetsweb.com/news/veterinarians-adjust-udder-for-milking-robot-822.html accessed on 30-52011. Vorst van der Y., Koning de K. (2002) Automatic milking systems and milk quality in three european countries. [pdf document] http://www.automaticmilking.nl/projectresults/Proceedings/TorontoYvdV.pdf accessed on 27-5-2011.

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