The welfare of farm animals in rapidly growing livestock sectors across the Global South presents both significant welfare challenges and opportunities linked to market access and consumer demand.
Farm animal welfare in developing country agriculture involves welfare challenges that differ significantly from those in high-income countries, and solutions must be contextually appropriate rather than simply applying Western regulatory frameworks. Many poor livestock keepers in developing countries have deep relationships with their animals, with their livelihood directly dependent on animal health and productivity - creating alignment between their interests and animal welfare, but without the resources to address welfare problems even when they are recognised. Veterinary service access is often severely limited, meaning painful conditions including lameness, wounds, and disease may go untreated not from indifference but from lack of access to treatment. International market access requirements for animal welfare certification can either drive welfare improvement (by creating economic incentives) or harm small producers (if compliance costs are prohibitive). The most effective welfare interventions in these contexts tend to focus on practical, affordable improvements - veterinary first aid training for farmers, affordable pain relief availability, low-cost housing modifications - that address the highest-burden welfare problems.