Towards an improvement of dairy donkey welfare: the development of good animal management practices guidelines

Donkey milk is a valuable product for babies suffering from multiple-allergies 1–3 and cosmetic production; therefore new dairy donkey farms are opening around Europe. Little information is available for farmers on sustainable production of donkey milk, including animal welfare, milk production and processing 4–7. Targeted dissemination of information on appropriate animal management would assist dairy donkey farmers in preventing welfare problems. This research project aims to develop guidelines on good practice principles for sustainable donkey milk production. Different steps were followed to develop the guidelines: identification of key issues for dairy donkey welfare, analysing the results of previous project 4,7–8 and the available scientific literature; systematic review research to select promising solutions for each issue included in the guidelines; stakeholder consultation, in order to increase scientific soundness and to enhance their acceptability throughout the sector; guidelines drafting and revisions by stakeholders; and guidelines launch. The guidelines "Dairy donkeys: good practice principles for sustainable donkey milk production" were launched in December 2017. They include suggestions derived from scientific literature and/or reported by internationally recognised experts. The guidelines provide clear and helpful advice on good animal management practices for anyone interested in donkey milk production. They comprise the following chapters: “Responsibilities”, “Feed and water”, “Housing and Management”, “Donkey health care”, “Humane killing”, “Appropriate behaviour” and “Milking procedures”. The guidelines, translated in different languages and freely available online, are designed to provide clear and helpful advice on good animal management practices for anyone interested in sustainable donkey milk production. 1. Iacono, G., Carrocio, A., Cavataio, F., Montalto, G., Soresi, M., Balsamo, V. 1992. Use of Ass Milk in Multiple Food Allergy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 14, 177-181 2. Carroccio, A., Cavataio, F., Montalto, G., D’Amico, D., Alabrese, L., Iacono, G. 2000. Intolerance to hydrolysed cow’s milk proteins in infants: clinical