Goats raised for meat face distinct welfare challenges tied to breed selection, intensive versus extensive management, and slaughter practices.
Goat meat production occupies a significant global footprint yet receives far less welfare attention than pig, poultry, or dairy cattle production. Extensive traditional systems that allow natural behaviour and social complexity often provide better welfare than intensive confined systems, though they may present challenges around veterinary access, nutrition in poor seasons, and predation. Intensive kid-for-meat systems mirror the welfare problems of veal production — young animals separated early, housed in limited space with restricted movement and social contact. Slaughter welfare is a major concern in regions without mandatory stunning requirements. Global goat meat welfare improvement requires both regulatory focus in major producing countries and consumer-facing certification schemes.