Welfare Science

Farmed Animal Welfare in the Global South: Capacity Building

As animal agriculture expands rapidly in lower-income countries, building veterinary and welfare capacity is essential to prevent large-scale suffering.

Key Facts

Livestock populations are growing fastest in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Veterinary infrastructure and welfare legislation lag significantly behind animal population growth
Many smallholder farmers have limited access to welfare training or extension services
International organisations like WSPA and FOUR PAWS are working on capacity building programmes

Welfare Considerations

Scaling intensive animal agriculture without concurrent welfare capacity creates the conditions for widespread suffering at scale. Early investment in welfare standards and veterinary training is far more effective than retrofitting welfare onto established industries.

What You Can Do

Support organisations building veterinary and welfare capacity in lower-income countries
Advocate for welfare conditionality in international development agricultural programmes
Engage with research on smallholder animal welfare interventions in the Global South