World Society for the Protection of Animals Consuming livestock: food security, climate change, livelihoods and animal welfare

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1 Consuming livestock: food security, climate change, livelihoods and animal welfare Basia Romanowicz

2 About WSPA International organisation working to improve animal welfare globally Priority areas: humane & sustainable agriculture, disaster management, inhumane culling Humane slaughter programme in China Engagement in food policy, climate change and food safety and security debate

3 World Society for the Protection of Animals contents The vital role of farming and animals 1. Vital role of livestock Trends in livestock production Trends2.and impacts 3. Implications for animal welfare Why welfare really counts 4. Why welfare really counts Solutions for producers 5. Trends in consumer behaviour Solutions for consumers Achieving change

4 Importance of agriculture and livestock 500 million smallholder farmers produce 80% of food consumed in the developing world 1 billion people depend on livestock for food, income, transport, status etc Importance in developed countries (protein, employment, landscapes & culture)

5 Livestock intensification 60 billion animals worldwide Estimated that animal production needs to double by 2050 Major growth in industrial systems Whatʼs the global environmental, health and economic impact

6 Current livestock impacts all set to increase Climate change - 18% global GHG Land use >30% of crops fed to livestock Health 75% of new diseases Environment 7% water use Biodiversity - 23 out of 35 biodiversity hotspots at risk

7 What is needed for good welfare? The 5 Freedoms: Freedom: from hunger and thirst from pain, injury and disease from fear and distress from discomfort to express normal behaviour Good welfare depends on: Genetics Environment Disease control Nutrition Management and stockmanship Welfare can be bad in any system if management is poor..

8 Sows in farrowing crates cannot: Turn round Lie down comfortably Perform natural behaviours Interact naturally with piglets Growings pigs: Little space Barren environment Tail docked Copyright: CIWF

9 Laying hens In battery cages, hens cannot perform important natural behaviours such as dust bathing, scratching for food or even stretch their wings Copyright: CIWF

10 Broiler chickens Bred for fast growth High levels of lameness and poor health Lack of space and poor environment

11 Higher welfare systems: Pigs Indoor bedded pig system Free-range system Copyright: CIWF

12 Higher welfare systems: Hens Hens dust-bathing Free-range systems

13 Higher welfare systems: broilers Free-range systems Copyright: RSPCA higher welfare indoor CIWF system: Slower growing birds Lower stocking density

14 Sustainability and animal welfare: why welfare really counts Welfare centred production systems are central to sustainability the ʻwin win winʼ scenario. Ecology Economics Ethics

15 Creating humane sustainable production Integrate crop and animal farming, boost nutrient recycling, lower imported feed Lower stocking densities Greater resilience Marketing chains that create value along the chain Use of livestock breeds suitable for local conditions e.g Beijing Oil chicken

16 Beijing Oil chicken Dual purpose breed (eggs and meat) Free-range system Commercial scale: 1% Beijingʼs s eggs Copyright: CIWF

17 Case for high welfare & sustainable production High input/output: animal welfare and productivity impacts Improving health and welfare can reduce costs and raise profits Improving health & welfare can also reduce environmental impact Carbon sequestration from grassland

18 Mitigation measures proposed Reducing consumption of meat and dairy Carbon sequestration Renewable energy Changes to animal feeding Changes to animal breeding Measures should be assessed for animal welfare impacts

19 Intensive vs. extensive debate High welfare farming can have environmental benefits But not in every sense e.g slow growing chicken = more carbon Need to consider all environmental and social impacts (pollution, water use, biodiversity, animal welfare etc.)

20 Consumer trends in UK & Europe High interest in ʻgreenʼ and high welfare food Animal welfare top ethical consideration in UK (ahead of carbon impact) (Mintel, 2010) Main consumer concerns: health, food safety, quality, price, ethical issues A number of drivers for choosing welfare e.g Hellmans mayonnaise

21 Consumer demand for cage-free eggs Source: Agra CEAS (2006)

22 China: A universal concern for farm animal welfare How important is the treatment of farm animals in our country for you personally? CHINA BRAZIL EUROPE Very/fairly Not very/not at all

23 China: A universal demand from citizens for more information Would you like to be informed about the conditions In which animals are farmed in our country? CHINA BRAZIL EUROPE Great deal/fair amount Not much/not at all

24 Future trends Chinese consumers purchasing more ʻgreenʼ and organic products Consumer concerns about food safety Important role of food companies Rise in demand and availability of higher welfare food What will be the trade-offs between animal welfare and environment?

25 Conclusions Animal welfare key element of sustainable farming Animal welfare needs to be included in environmental policy Measures to reduce impacts should be assessed for welfare impacts Manage unsustainable demand for animal products Research and development to support humane & sustainable agriculture

26 Thank You