Farm Animals

Biosecurity and Livestock Welfare

Effective biosecurity protects livestock welfare by preventing disease introduction while some biosecurity measures themselves create welfare challenges.

Key Facts

African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease are biosecurity emergencies that cause mass welfare harm
The 2001 UK FMD outbreak led to the killing of over 10 million animals
Culling of apparently healthy animals in disease control zones causes welfare harm
Improved biosecurity on farms reduces the frequency of welfare-damaging disease outbreaks
Many biosecurity measures including isolation increase animal stress

Welfare Considerations

Mass culling for disease control causes suffering to millions of animals that may themselves be healthy. The methods used in emergency disease culls, including gas killing and electrocution, may be conducted rapidly in ways that compromise welfare. Conversely, preventing the disease in the first place through effective biosecurity protects animals from the suffering of the disease itself. Investment in biosecurity can therefore be framed as a welfare investment.

What You Can Do

Support investment in disease surveillance and early detection systems
Advocate for welfare-first culling protocols in emergency disease response
Back vaccination programs that reduce the need for mass culling
Support farmer training in biosecurity practices that prevent disease introduction
Engage with disease control planning to ensure welfare is a primary consideration