Farm Animal Research Priorities - Evidence Synthesis

Synthesising evidence on farm animal welfare research priorities to guide scientific and philanthropic investment decisions.

Key Facts

Pain recognition tools validated for farm species remain limited to cattle and pigs, with major gaps in poultry and fish
Prevalence studies consistently find that lameness affects 20-40% of dairy cows at any given time
Feather-pecking in laying hens affects welfare of billions of birds annually with unclear causation
Positive welfare assessment tools for farm animals are less developed than negative state indicators
Economic analysis shows welfare improvements often have positive ROI through productivity effects, creating market opportunities

Welfare Considerations

Research priorities should be set based on the intersection of welfare impact, knowledge gaps, and tractability of intervention. Current evidence highlights severe laming, injurious pecking, and inadequate pain management as priority targets where research would most directly reduce suffering. Funding agencies and charitable foundations play a crucial role in directing resources toward highest-impact welfare science questions.

What You Can Do

Support BBSRC responsive mode research funding for animal welfare science
Engage with UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare) priority-setting exercises
Fund welfare science PhD studentships through university giving programmes
Advocate for welfare impact assessment requirements alongside safety assessments in new livestock products
Connect welfare researchers with industry partners through AHDB and similar intermediaries