Abstract
Simple SummaryCurrent systems for raising food animals are largely geared to produce large quantities of meat, milk, and eggs, at a low cost to the consumer. There are many ethical challenges associated with these methods, which can result in poor animal welfare and animal suffering. The veterinarian is often undecided as to whom they owe their responsibilities—to the farmer, who pays for their services, or to the animals, who require their advocacy to improve conditions. Historically, veterinarians have focused on enhancing animal health, and have left the ethical debate to others. With increasing consumer attention to animal welfare issues and a global drive to ensure long-term solutions for the planet’s health, it is imperative that veterinarians become more engaged in these ethical discussions. Several examples are provided for considering approaches to some food animal welfare problems.Industrial food animal production practices are efficient for producing large quantities of milk, meat, and eggs for a growing global population, but often result in the need to alter animals to fit a more restricted environment, as well as creating new animal welfare and health problems related to animal confinement in high densities. These practices and methods have become normalized, to the extent that veterinarians and others embedded in these industries rarely question the ethical challenges associated with raising animals in this fashion. Moral ‘lock-in’ is common with those working in food animal industries, as is the feeling that it is impossible to effect meaningful change. Animal welfare issues associated with the industrialization of food animal production are ‘wicked problems’ that require a multi- and transdisciplinary approach. We argue that veterinarians, as expert animal health and welfare advocates, should be critical stakeholders and leaders in discussions with producers and the food animal sector, to look for innovative solutions and technology that will address current and future global sustainability and food security needs. Solutions will necessarily be different in different countries and regions, but ethical issues associated with industrial food animal production practices are universal.
Highlights
The rate at which animal husbandry changes has occurred has accelerated over time, with significant transitions seen in food animal management practices in the late 19th and
Ethical concerns in industrial food animal production are increasing as societies in middle- and high-income countries are developing more awareness regarding how food is produced
Ethical aspects of food animal production are covered to some extent by legislation in some countries and regions, but more and more is being driven by Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Summary
Animal husbandry and management practices have evolved throughout humankind’s recorded history [1]. Veterinarians and animal scientists have been important stakeholders in the growth of the intensification of animal food production throughout the 20th century Both groups use their knowledge, training, and resources to preserve the health of animals raised for food consumption, while increasing production efficiency. We will review pertinent animal welfare legislation in the EU and North America for industrial food animal production as it is understood and applied by veterinarians, focusing on pigs, dairy cows, and broiler and layer chickens This is important because veterinarians are bound to practice obeying local legislation and regulations, but they must think beyond the current state of the industry to support change. We will explore, through the use of examples, how veterinarians can provide leadership in improving food animal welfare by supporting changes in animal housing and management practices
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