Ahmadi Bouda Vosough - The Economics of Farm Animal Welfare

THE ECONOMICS OF FARM ANIMAL
WELFARE

This book focuses on some of the latest developments in economic research that are relevant to animal welfare and related policy development. It consists of nine chapters; each has a specific focus related to various aspects of the economics of farm animal welfare. The authors explain in detail various topics, methods and approaches such as the evolution of animal welfare as a branch of animal science; animal welfare from an economic theory perspective; consumer demand and related quantitative methods such as willingness to pay, economics of production, supply side, regulations, policy and trade. Helpful to both natural scientists, such as animal welfare and animal behaviour scientists, as well as social scientists and agricultural economists, it serves as a reference for policy makers and policy analysts at both national and international level.

The authors

Bouda Vosough Ahmadi is Veterinarian and Animal Health Economist at the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy.

Dominic Moran is Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, UK.

Rick DEath is Reader in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK.

THE ECONOMICS OF FARM
ANIMAL WELFARE

Theory, Evidence and Policy

Edited by

Bouda Vosough Ahmadi,
Dominic Moran

and

Rick DEath

CABI is a trading name of CAB International

Bouda Vosough Ahmadi, Dominic Moran and Rick DEath 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London, UK.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ahmadi, Bouda, editor.

Title: The economics of farm animal welfare : theory, evidence and policy / edited by Bouda Vosough Ahmadi, Dominic Moran, and Rick B.

DEath. Description: Wallingford, Oxfordshire ; Boston : CABI, [2020] | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: The economic costs and benefits of farm animal production and sustainability versus improving climate change and animal welfare presents one of the most complex dilemmas in agriculture today. This book, by top global authors and experts, outlines the problem whilst making policy-relevant recommendations-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019056038 (print) | LCCN 2019056039 (ebook) | ISBN 9781786392312 (paperback) | ISBN 9781786392329 (ebook) | ISBN 9781786392336 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Food animals--Moral and ethical aspects. | Livestock--Economic aspects. | Livestock--Environmental aspects. | Animal welfare--Economic aspects. | Animal welfare--Government policy. | Sustainable agriculture.

Classification: LCC HV4757 .E26 2020 (print) | LCC HV4757 (ebook) | DDC 174/.9636--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019056038

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019056039

References to internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.

978 1 78639 231 2 (paperback)
978 1 78639 232 9 (ePDF)
978 1 78639 233 6 (ePub)

Commissioning Editor: Alexandra Lainsbury
Editorial Assistant: Emma McCann
Production Editor: Marta Patino

Typeset by Exeter Premedia Services, Chennai, India
Printed and bound in the UK

Contents

Jean-Luc Angot

Alistair Lawrence and Belinda Vigors

Carmen Hubbard, Beth Clark and David Harvey

Faical Akaichi and Cesar Revoredo-Giha

Richard Bennett

Jarkko K. Niemi

Anne-Marie Neeteson, Santiago Avendao and Alfons Koerhuis

Donald M. Broom

Carolina Maciel and Bettina Bock

Alistair Stott and Bouda Vosough Ahmadi

Foreword

Animal welfare is at the heart of the legitimate expectations of society and also concerns about the future of livestock, both in developed and developing countries, in a global context where the demand for animal protein is increasing, particularly as a result of population growth, global economic development and the globalization of consumption patterns. The concept of animal welfare encompasses not only the physical health and wellbeing of the animal but also its psychological well-being and the ability to express the behaviours of the species. It relates to the relationships between humans and animals and all the controversies that surround them. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) seized upon the subject of animal welfare in 2002, particularly because of its close links with animal health. The Organization began by defining this notion, based on the Five Freedoms (absence of hunger and thirst; physical restraint; pain, injury and disease; freedom to express normal behaviour; protection from fear and distress). Since 2005, the OIE has developed international standards, based on scientific foundations, which serve as a reference at the global level. Animal welfare is a complex subject with various dimensions: scientific, philosophical, ethical, cultural, sociological, religious, political and economic.

This book, edited by Dr Vosough Ahmadi, Professor Moran and Dr DEath, has a particular focus on the economic and policy aspects of animal welfare. Respect for animal welfare should not always be experienced as a constraint on animal production; it can be an asset for livestock and for sustainable development. Issues around animal welfare concern breeding conditions and production systems, transport and slaughter, but also international trade, which leads to the growing integration of animal welfare requirements in the negotiation of bilateral trade agreements. In addition to ethical considerations, under many circumstances, improvement of animal welfare can lead to improvements in production and also the quality and safety of animals and animal products, resulting in winwins. There is a need for national, regional and global regulatory frameworks, policies and strategies. The concern to ensure the wellbeing of breeding animals is also fundamental. Veterinary services, considered a global public good, are both a key and a tool for improving animal welfare. These services must collaborate with all other services concerned, as animal welfare is closely linked to human health and wellbeing, respect for the environment and agricultural economics. In order to improve animal production alongside the rights and welfare of people, including farm workers and consumers, and the environment, the One Welfare holistic concept is developing, like that of One Health. A transdisciplinary approach is essential, with a permanent dialogue between all stakeholders. Animal welfare is fully in line with the agro-ecological transition approach and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.