Farm Animal Welfare Developing Countries Progress

Farm animal welfare in lower-income countries faces distinct challenges but shows significant potential for improvement through targeted interventions.

Key Facts

Over 80% of farmed animals globally are in lower and middle-income countries
Working animals including draft cattle, donkeys, and horses face significant welfare challenges
Welfare improvements often align with productivity gains making the welfare-development case
World Animal Protection works with governments on basic welfare frameworks in emerging economies
Access to veterinary care is a fundamental welfare constraint in many regions
Export market welfare requirements are driving improvements in some producer countries

Welfare Considerations

Farm animal welfare globally cannot be achieved without progress in lower-income countries where most farmed animals live. Context-appropriate interventions that align welfare improvement with farmer livelihood benefits are most effective. International development funding for welfare-positive agricultural practices is an essential complement to higher-income country regulatory approaches.

What You Can Do

Support World Animal Protection and Brooke global welfare improvement programmes
Advocate for animal welfare to be included in international development aid conditions
Choose coffee, cocoa, and other tropical agricultural products from certified welfare-positive supply chains
Support research into low-cost welfare interventions appropriate to resource-limited farming contexts
Engage with DFID and Foreign Office representatives about integrating welfare in development policy