Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare and Food System Transformation

Large-scale improvement in farm animal welfare requires transforming food systems rather than incremental changes within existing structures.

Key Facts

Global livestock populations have grown rapidly alongside intensification of production systems
Incremental improvements within intensive systems leave fundamental welfare challenges unaddressed
Plant-based protein transitions reduce animal numbers in welfare-compromising systems
Policy reform including subsidy redirection can incentivize higher welfare production
Consumer demand shifts, when sustained, drive supply chain change at scale

Welfare Considerations

Individual welfare improvements matter for the animals they affect, but systemic food system transformation - driven by policy, consumer demand, and technological innovation - is needed to address welfare at the scale of billions of farm animals globally.

What You Can Do

Shift dietary patterns toward plant-rich foods to reduce demand for intensive animal production
Support policy campaigns for agricultural subsidy reform
Engage with food companies about their welfare commitments and timelines