Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment affect cattle reproductive welfare; understanding these impacts supports advocacy for chemical management policies that protect livestock and wildlife.
Endocrine disruption in livestock represents an emerging welfare concern where chemical exposures affect the hormonal systems that regulate reproduction, development, and metabolism. While most attention has focused on food safety and human health, the direct welfare effects on affected animals include reproductive disorders and developmental abnormalities. The EU prohibition on hormone growth promoters reflects both welfare and consumer safety concerns; maintaining these prohibitions protects animal welfare alongside human health.