Farm animal welfare across borders: A vision for the future

Abstract

• The assessment of farm animal welfare is independent of the country in which the animal is raised, but approaches to animal welfare may differ among countries. Although the result aimed for (i.e., good welfare of farm animals) is the same across borders, the way in which these are achieved, the scope for improvement, and the emphasis put on different factors, may differ vastly among cultures and countries • In China, some of the welfare problems in production animals arise from a mismatch between their genetics and the environment provided, both in terms of western breeds in sub-optimal rearing conditions, as well as native breeds being raised and bred according to western standards • The use of science-based indicators based on farm animal welfare outcomes may make it easier for developing countries to compete at a level playing field internationally • Any improvement, however small, in the welfare of pigs and chickens in China will have a huge impact, simply in terms of the number of animals involved. However, feeding an increasing world population, of which a fifth live in China, may diminish the immediate economic importance of improved farm animal welfare • Small, widespread, and consistent improvements to farm animal welfare are likely to achieve better results than large, but poorly implemented strategies.