Welfare Science

Welfare Hotspots Mapping Globally

Identifying where the most severe animal welfare problems are concentrated geographically allows welfare organisations to target resources for maximum impact.

Key Facts

The majority of the world's farm animals are concentrated in a relatively small number of countries and regions
Industrial broiler and pig production hotspots include China, the US, Brazil, the EU and India
Aquaculture welfare problems are concentrated in Southeast Asia and Norway at the production scale
Wildlife trade hotspots for welfare concerns include Southeast Asia, Central Africa and parts of Latin America
Working animal welfare problems are most severe in low and middle income countries in Africa and Asia

Welfare Considerations

Welfare resource allocation that is geographically blind will systematically miss the areas of greatest suffering. A welfare charity focused exclusively on UK farm animal welfare operates in a country with relatively strong regulation, while animals in production systems with much weaker protections are ignored. Evidence-based welfare hotspot mapping allows organisations, donors and policymakers to direct resources and advocacy where they can have the greatest impact.

What You Can Do

Support welfare organisations with global rather than only domestic focus
Engage with supply chains that source from high-welfare-risk countries and advocate for improvement
Donate to organisations working on welfare in countries with the least regulatory protection
Support research into welfare hotspot mapping that enables evidence-based resource allocation
Advocate for international trade agreements to include enforceable animal welfare standards