Toward a global perspective on farm animal welfare

Abstract

During the past half century, the less industrialized countries experienced rapid increases in animal production through both large-scale confinement systems and traditional small-scale systems. These countries now produce the majority of the world's meat. The regulations and other programs designed to safeguard animal welfare in the European and English-speaking countries may prove ineffective in the diverse and burgeoning production systems of the less industrialized nations. However, improvements to animal welfare may still be achieved (1) through the basic economic incentive to reduce losses caused by injury, stress and malnutrition, (2) through disease control programs, as long as these are well conducted, and (3) by international corporations applying their existing animal welfare standards on a more global basis. Moreover, low labour costs in less industrialized countries could allow labour-intensive, non-confinement systems to flourish, especially if there is an international market for such products. Although animal welfare plays no role in the agreements of the World Trade Organization, internationally recognized standards may still be incorporated by mutual agreement in bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and they may be required in future by international food companies and their customers. There are important opportunities for animal welfare scientists to support animal protection initiatives in the less industrialized countries, especially through technical assistance programs, research and education.

Introduction

In 2005, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) adopted its first global guidelines for animal welfare, specifically in the areas of land transport, sea transport, slaughter of animals for human consumption, and killing of animals for disease control (OIE, 2005). The passing of the guidelines by 167 countries, some of which did not have national animal protection legislation of their own, signaled that animal welfare was no longer a concern only of certain (generally prosperous) nations, but had become an issue for official attention at a global level (Bayvel et al., 2005).

The globalization of attention to animal welfare not only provides opportunities to improve the lives of animals on a large scale but also causes us to consider the means by which animal welfare can be safeguarded throughout the world. In this paper I will briefly discuss some of the developments in farm animal production that led to animal welfare reform in the industrialized nations, outline some of the key features of animal welfare reform and animal welfare science in those countries, discuss why different approaches will likely be needed in other nations, and suggest some opportunities for scientists and others to contribute to animal welfare in a broader range of countries. I will deal only with terrestrial animals, although a similar discussion would also be warranted regarding aquatic animals.