Intensive Farming

Livestock Welfare During Disease Outbreaks

Mass culling during disease outbreaks like foot-and-mouth and avian influenza causes significant animal welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Millions of animals are culled during disease outbreaks annually worldwide
Slaughter methods during outbreaks are often less humane than standard practice
Animals awaiting culling may be kept in distressed conditions for extended periods
Vaccination strategies can reduce the scale of culling required

Welfare Considerations

Disease outbreak responses involving mass culling cause enormous welfare harm. Culling methods employed at scale under time pressure are often less humane than standard slaughter. Animals waiting for culling in confined areas for extended periods experience stress, and culling of healthy animals within protection zones adds to the welfare toll. Vaccination programs can reduce culling requirements.

What You Can Do

Support research and development of livestock disease vaccines
Advocate for disease outbreak response plans that include welfare standards for culling
Back policies enabling vaccination as an alternative to mass culling
Support farmer mental health during disease outbreak crisis periods