A farmer has been fined £150 for keeping his cows in the dark, failing to meet the 'psychological and ethological' needs of the animals according to the animal welfare rules. Farmers have to provide suitable shelter with either natural or electric lighting for livestock during winter, yet the farmer intended to keep a cow and her calf in a barn underneath the main farmhouse for the duration of winter. Breaking the Animal Welfare Act convicted him to a fine of 150 pounds, but the animals remain on the farm.

The defendant of the farmer pointed out: 'I don't know what the psychological or ethological needs of these cows are and I'm sure Mr Norcliffe doesn't either.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220342/Farmer-slapped-150-fine-...

As for all sentient beings, the psychological and ethological needs can never be met in any form of slavery. Animal welfare means that, as long as certain standards in the treatment and usage of other than human animals are maintained, their exploitation by humans is accepted or acceptable. Animal Equality rejects any type of reform of animal exploitation, both in law and practice.