Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Animal Welfare and Food Security Tradeoffs

Improving farmed animal welfare sometimes requires addressing complex tradeoffs with food security and affordability that require thoughtful policy approaches.

Key Facts

Higher welfare farming systems typically produce at higher cost
Lower-income households spend higher proportions of income on animal products
Outdoor access for laying hens reduces flock size per unit area
Transition support and subsidy reform can accelerate welfare improvements without increasing food insecurity

Welfare Considerations

The real or perceived tension between animal welfare and food security is often used to block welfare reforms. However, evidence shows that welfare improvements frequently coincide with efficiency gains and disease reduction that limit cost increases. Policy design that includes transition support, subsidy reform, and social safety nets can achieve welfare improvements while protecting vulnerable households from food cost impacts.

What You Can Do

Support welfare reform paired with food access protections
Advocate for agricultural subsidy reform that rewards welfare improvements
Choose higher welfare products when economically possible
Support organizations working on equitable approaches to food system reform