Food System Transitions and Animal Welfare

Transitioning to food systems with fewer or better-treated farm animals is a major lever for reducing animal suffering at global scale.

Key Facts

Approximately 80 billion land animals are slaughtered for food each year globally
Plant-based diets can feed more people on less land with significantly less animal use
Cultivated meat could allow meat consumption without slaughter if scaled economically
Food system transitions disproportionately affect smallholder farmers and rural livelihoods
Consumer behaviour change alone is insufficient - policy, infrastructure and cultural change are needed
The EAT-Lancet report recommends a global diet with dramatically less animal product consumption

Welfare Considerations

Food system transformation is the highest-leverage intervention for reducing farmed animal suffering at global scale. However, transitions must be managed carefully to support farmers through economic change and ensure food security for vulnerable populations. Plant-based and alternative protein transitions primarily reduce harm rather than improving conditions for existing farm animals - they are complementary to, rather than substitutes for, farm welfare improvements. Effective food policy combines consumer information, agricultural subsidy reform and investment in alternative proteins.

What You Can Do

Reduce consumption of animal products, particularly those from intensive systems
Support agricultural subsidy reform to level the playing field for plant-based foods
Advocate for investment in alternative protein research and development
Engage politically with food system policy consultations and agricultural reform debates
Support organisations working on both farm animal welfare and food system transition simultaneously