Animal Welfare in National Economic Accounting

Integrating animal welfare into national accounts and policy evaluation frameworks would transform government decision-making for animals.

Key Facts

GDP and national accounts do not capture animal welfare as an economic variable
New Zealand has developed wellbeing budgets that include some animal welfare indicators
The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change influenced climate policy by quantifying costs
Economic valuation of animal welfare allows cost-benefit analysis of welfare interventions
Willingness-to-pay studies show significant public valuation of animal welfare improvement
Including animal welfare in agricultural subsidy evaluation would change incentive structures
UK agricultural payment schemes post-Brexit include animal welfare as an eligible activity

Welfare Considerations

Animal welfare outcomes are determined partly by economic incentives, and those incentives are shaped by policy. Integrating animal welfare into economic frameworks would create sustained policy pressure for welfare improvement. This is a long-term institutional change that requires welfare economists, policy makers and advocates working together. Supporting welfare economics research and pilot policy integration is a high-leverage, if indirect, welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Support welfare economics research organisations developing animal welfare valuation methods
Advocate for animal welfare indicators in national wellbeing measurement frameworks
Engage with agricultural policy consultations to support welfare payment integration
Support think tanks and policy organisations working on animal welfare policy integration