Welfare Science

Welfare Economics and Animal Wellbeing

Welfare economics applies economic analysis to animal wellbeing, seeking to quantify and improve welfare outcomes in policy and production.

Key Facts

Welfare economics treats animal wellbeing as a measurable outcome worthy of policy attention
Cost-benefit analysis can include animal welfare values alongside human economic outcomes
Research suggests consumers significantly underestimate farm animal suffering
Market failures prevent welfare signals from reaching producers in conventional markets
Carbon and welfare accounting frameworks are increasingly incorporating animal outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Welfare economics provides tools to make animal suffering visible in policy decisions. Integrating animal welfare into economic frameworks helps justify and prioritise interventions that reduce suffering.

What You Can Do

Support think tanks and researchers developing animal welfare economics
Advocate for inclusion of animal welfare metrics in national wellbeing accounting
Engage with the economic case for higher welfare standards in policy consultations
Support organisations using economic analysis to make the case for welfare reform
Learn about the economic burden of poor welfare on producers and public health