Farm Animal Research Priorities 2027

Priority research areas for farm animal welfare entering 2027, informed by emerging science and policy needs.

Key Facts

Fish welfare research needs are large given scale of aquaculture and ongoing evidence review
Insect welfare research is needed urgently as industry scales without welfare guidelines
Technology validation for welfare monitoring needs field conditions testing
Economic research on welfare-outcome relationships informs policy cost-benefit analysis
Global south farm animal welfare research is chronically underfunded

Welfare Considerations

Farm animal welfare research priorities for 2027 should focus on the areas of greatest welfare burden, scientific uncertainty, and policy relevance. Fish and insect welfare evidence development is urgent given the scale of these industries and the relative underdevelopment of welfare standards. Technology validation in field conditions will determine whether automated monitoring can scale welfare surveillance. Global south research remains chronically neglected despite representing the largest future growth in animal agriculture.

What You Can Do

Support funding bodies that prioritise underserved farm animal welfare research areas
Engage with university and research institute consultations on research priorities
Advocate for government research funding to include global south animal welfare research