The following slides look at a new factor that is affecting global food production systems.

1. 8.
ANIMAL
WELFARE

2. INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL WELFARE
Food systems are becoming complex with
the consumer playing a big role in food
company production systems
The role of traceability, safety,
unadulteration and animal cruelty are some
of the topics leading modern food trends

3. INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL WELFARE-
continued
Major food producers like McDonalds are
slowly moving towards free-range eggs
for their restaurants
Animal welfare is slowly being turned into
an in important food production component

4. INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL WELFARE-
continued
The dream…all animal welfare decisions
should be science-based
We want to look at inputs and outputs and
arrive at a scientific solution

5. THE REALITY!!!
The reality
Animal welfare decisions are social decisions
Integration of culture, ethics, and science
Science didn’t even really play a role until 1950s
Science isn’t black-and-white or value-free

6. THE REALITY!!!-CONTINUED
Science can be used to help resolve disputes
(sometimes!)
Science may not exist, may be used selectively, or be
ignored
Science is used by both sides in policy debates
If societal perception is that something is ‘wrong’
then science is unlikely to change that perception

7. Science can determine what type or
level of risk exists
Science cannot determine what type or
level of risk is acceptable (this is a
social question)

9. 1.freedom from thirst, hunger and
malnutrition

10. 2. Freedom from discomfort

11. 3. Freedom from pain, injury and
disease

12. 4. Freedom to express normal
behaviours

13. 5. Freedom from fear and distress

14. LAYERS AND WELFARE

15. Improving Animal welfare
Understand and accept that animal
welfare decisions are complex
● Social acceptability (the “smell” test)
● Science
● Sustainability

16. ● Recognize that presentation and
interpretation of animal welfare
questions and the related science is
not value-free
● Be cognizant of your experts’
prejudices—and your own!
● Insist that ALL the information be
brought to the table

17. ● Relying too much on one type of
measure can prejudice
decision-making
● Unintended consequences can result
from standards/policy based on a
single criterion

18. ● Because the advantages and
disadvantages of animal care
systems and practices are
qualitatively different, objectively
ranking them for overall welfare can
be extremely difficult.

19. How much mortality = how much
behavioral freedom?

20. CONCLUSION
Consultative processes support animal
welfare best
↑ stakeholder engagement = better
decisions
Improving animal welfare is a dynamic, not
a static, process