Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare in Global South

Farm animal welfare standards and practices in the global south differ significantly from high-income countries, with specific challenges and culturally appropriate solutions needed.

Key Facts

Livestock provide 40-80% of agricultural income for smallholder farmers in low-income countries
Livestock welfare and farmer livelihoods are more directly linked in the global south
Traditional practices including tethering and working without veterinary care affect welfare
Climate change causes increasing heat stress and disease burden on animals in tropical regions
Organisations including SPANA, WSPA, and Brooke work on welfare improvement in developing contexts

Welfare Considerations

Farm animal welfare in the global south requires context-sensitive approaches that respect cultural practices, economic constraints, and different human-animal relationships while progressively improving welfare outcomes. Simple, affordable interventions can achieve significant welfare improvements.

What You Can Do

Support organisations working on animal welfare in developing countries
Advocate for global south perspectives in international animal welfare standards development
Engage with the nexus between animal welfare, food security, and farmer livelihoods