Animal welfare differences between Caesarean section and natural delivery in Belgian Blue cattle

over the last decade international resistance to the use of the Belgian Blue cattle breed (BBB) has been growing. Only the last years have these concerns gained (some) acceptance in the production sector. The preliminary results of an ongoing research project show some behavioural differences between cows that deliver through Caesarean Section (CS) versus cows that calve naturally, but it remains to be clarified whether these differences indicate pain and thus reduced welfare. These results seem to contradict the common perception that CS is detrimental to animal welfare and somewhat paradoxically, there is evidence in literature that calves experience more stress during natural calving. A second line of argument against CS is that the routine use of CS in BBB cattle is a sign of excessive instrumentalisation of these animals. We acknowledge the validity of this line of argument in general but argue that this is not specific to the BBB. Moreover, it is not a valid argument in an animal welfare discussion, which should focus on what matters for the animal itself. We conclude that he discussion on CS in the BBB is typically mixing what is important for humans and what matters for the animal. Although both are ethically important, only the latter is relevant to a real animal welfare discussion.