The ‘Knowledge-Dialogue-Practice’ focus of MuD Animal Welfare centres on supporting pilot projects designed specifically to facilitate the dissemination of information and the transfer of knowledge. It is in the federal government’s interest that new findings enabling more animal-friendly husbandry of farm animals are translated into agricultural practice through projects with a high multiplier effect. This is intended to provide impetus leading to improved animal welfare and, consequently, greater societal acceptance of farm animal husbandry.

When selecting topics and funding projects, animal welfare relevance, exemplary nature, quality of knowledge transfer and practical relevance play a key role. Agricultural holdings are directly involved in the projects to ensure a high degree of practical relevance.

Project funding is based on the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) for the funding of measures to transfer new findings from research and development projects (R&D projects) into agricultural practice within the context of model and demonstration projects on animal welfare for small and medium-sized enterprises.