UK farm assurance falls short on ambition to provide “a life worth living” for sows

Why are citizens concerned if British legislation on farm animal welfare is considered world class? And do assurance schemes guarantee that animal welfare principles are implemented on farms?
calendar icon 19 June 2019
clock icon 5 minute read
Figure 1: Spending on ‘ethical’ food and drink in UK between 2010 and 2017 (The Ethical Consumer, 2018)
Figure 1: Spending on ‘ethical’ food and drink in UK between 2010 and 2017 (The Ethical Consumer, 2018)
Figure 2: Results of a survey of UK shoppers on their concerns regarding the impacts of meat consumption (The Grocer, 2018)
Figure 2: Results of a survey of UK shoppers on their concerns regarding the impacts of meat consumption (The Grocer, 2018)
Figure 3: The Choose Assured Infographic (BVA, 2018)
Figure 3: The Choose Assured Infographic (BVA, 2018)
Nesting behaviour: outdoors and in farrowing crate © Scotland's Rural College and Freefarrowing.org
References
References
[1] NFU Online
(2014) UK leads the way in animal welfare [accessed 22.05.2019]
[2] Brexit: farm animal welfare
(2017) Summary of conclusions and recommendations. UK Parliament [accessed 22.05.2019]
[3] The Grocer
(2018) What shoppers think about meat-free and plant-based, explained in 12 charts. [accessed 22.05.2019]
Andersen, I.L., Berg, S. & Bøe, K.E.
(2005) Crushing of piglets by the mother sow (Sus scrofa) - purely accidental or a poor mother?. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 93 (3–4): 229-243
Bonnet, P., Lancelot, R., Seegers, H. and Martinez, D.
(2011) Contribution of veterinary activities to global food security for food derived from terrestrial and aquatic animals.. OIE 79th General Session World Assembly Paris 22-27 May 2011. OIE, Paris. P 15.
Duffy, R. and Fearne, A.
(2009) Value perceptions of farm assurance in the red meat supply chain.. British Food Journal 111 (7): 669-685
Edgar, J., Mullan, S., Pritchard, J., McFarlane, U., Main, D.
(2013) Towards a ‘Good Life’ for farm animals: Development of a Resource Tier Framework to Achieve Positive Welfare for Laying Hens.. Animals 3:584-605
Mellor, D.
(2016) Updating Animal Welfare Thinking: Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” towards “A Life Worth Living”.. Animals 6(21)
Mullan, S., Edwards, S.A., Butterworth, A., Whay, H.R. and Main, D. C. J.
(2011) A pilot investigation of possible positive system descriptors in finishing pigs.. Animal Welfare 20: 439-449

Dr Laura Higham

Programme Manager and Veterinary Consultant at FAI Farms

Managing research and consultancy programmes to build 3E sustainability in livestock production and food supply chains, alongside commercial and NGO partners. Particular interests include international animal health, One Health, antimicrobial resistance and livestock-based livelihoods.

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