The wellbeing of livestock farm workers is directly linked to the quality of animal care they provide, making stockperson welfare an animal welfare issue.
The connection between stockperson wellbeing and animal welfare is well evidenced — farm workers under excessive stress, financial pressure, or experiencing poor mental health are less able to provide high-quality, attentive care. They are less likely to notice early signs of health problems, less patient in handling interactions, and less motivated to implement welfare improvements. The farming industry's mental health crisis — driven by financial pressure, isolation, poor weather impacts, and regulatory burden — is therefore also an animal welfare crisis. Supporting farm worker mental health through accessible services, peer support programs, and reduced financial precarity is a welfare intervention that benefits animals as well as humans.