Improving farm animal welfare and addressing global food security are often presented as conflicting goals, but evidence suggests they are more complementary than opposed.
The argument that welfare improvements compromise food security relies on assumptions about production systems that do not withstand scrutiny. Industrial livestock systems are highly resource-inefficient compared to direct plant food production. Improving welfare conditions — more space, better feed, reduced stress — often improves productivity metrics as well. The global shift toward more plant-rich diets addresses both food security and animal welfare simultaneously.