Food System Transformation and Animal Welfare

Transforming global food systems away from intensive animal agriculture is one of the most significant opportunities to improve animal welfare at scale, requiring coordinated action across supply chains, policy and consumer behaviour.

Key Facts

Global meat production has increased by over 400% since 1960, driven by population growth and rising incomes
An estimated 80 billion land animals are farmed and slaughtered annually, the vast majority in intensive conditions
The EAT-Lancet Commission recommended a significant reduction in meat and dairy consumption for both planetary and health reasons
Alternative proteins including plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultivated meat are growing rapidly from a small base
Public sector procurement — government catering, schools and hospitals — can drive significant demand shifts without waiting for consumer behaviour change

Welfare Considerations

Food system transformation offers the most scalable opportunity to reduce animal suffering in history. Unlike individual behaviour change, which is slow and contested, structural changes to food systems — defaults, procurement standards, subsidy reform and supply chain regulation — can shift the food environment in ways that simultaneously improve health, environmental and animal welfare outcomes. The animal welfare movement needs to engage with food system change as a strategic priority alongside individual advocacy. Supporting alternative protein development, advocating for reformed agricultural subsidies, and engaging with public sector procurement standards are high-leverage interventions that operate at the system level.

What You Can Do

Advocate for plant-based and lower animal product procurement standards in schools, hospitals and government catering
Support alternative protein companies and organisations through investment, purchasing and advocacy
Engage with agricultural subsidy reform campaigns that redirect support from intensive animal agriculture
Reduce personal consumption of intensive animal products while advocating for system-level change
Connect animal welfare organisations with food system transformation campaigns to build broader coalitions