INTRODUCTION TO
FARM ANIMAL WELFARE
Globally, there are upwards of 100 billion farm animals, the majority of whom are raised via industrial methods. Among other negative externalities, industrial production stresses important resources, pollutes the environment and contributes to food waste. Attention to animal welfare, though, can improve sustainability, profitability and reputation.
The main areas of concern with respect to farm animal welfare include barren and unsuitable environments, space limitations and overcrowding, painful procedures, abuse, early weaning, inappropriate breeds, transport and slaughter. Affected sectors include production, manufacturing, retail, restaurants, food service, hospitality and finance.
Recommended strategies for food and hospitality companies to manage farm animal welfare include implementing an animal welfare policy covering multiple species and all markets, publicly reporting progress against key performance indicators, utilizing third-party audits and seeking animal welfare-linked financing and grants.
Recommended strategies for financial institutions include creating animal welfare-linked bonds and loans, including animal welfare in due diligence, integrating animal welfare into agreements, adding extreme confinement (e.g. cages for laying hens) to exclusion lists and addressing animal welfare during company engagement.