Selective breeding in livestock has dramatically increased production efficiency but has created welfare problems that are increasingly recognised by industry and researchers.
The welfare costs of extreme productive selection in livestock are now well-documented and represent systemic, population-wide suffering that is difficult to address through management alone. Broilers selected for maximum growth suffer leg and cardiovascular problems regardless of how well they are managed. Dairy cattle producing extremely high yields are chronically in negative energy balance with associated metabolic and reproductive problems. Addressing genetics - selecting for welfare traits alongside or instead of extreme production traits - is necessary for sustainable welfare improvement. This requires industry, retailer and regulatory pressure.