ANIMAL WELFARE (II) Flashcards
consumer disconnection from livestock practices
-more people living in the cities compared to rural areas
-gap between reality and expectations
-vets should be a source of trustful info on agricultural practices
-consumers are bombarded with labels (abused)
sales of welfare products
-much lower than the reported levels of concern
-perceptions and attitudes vary in time and space
*observing change trend is important
citizens views
-should only act as conceptualizations of an ideal world, when they are not further confirmed through consumer behaviours
producer’s view
-need to take into account economics
-various factors (managing resources, climate change, pasture management)
-consumers ask for things but don’t realize the cost to it, but also aren’t willing to pay for it
net farm value divided by retail value
-decreasing
-the proportion of dollar we pay at the store
-more is going to the retailer and less to the farmer
beef cattle farms
-number of beef cattle is similar
-getting larger farms
number of dairy cows
-number of dairy cows is decreasing but production is similar
*individual cows are producing more then they used to be (genetics, etc.)
changing demographics of livestock industries
-margins are tighter, so operations get larger with more animals per farm
1. Animal welfare may improve (ex. better vaccination protocols, SOPs for euthanasia, more reliance on nutrition and health)
2. Dollar value of individual animal will decrease, and general desensitization of individual animal suffering can develop
One Welfare
-builds on One Health concept
-way to recognize many social interconnections between human, animal welfare and the integrity of the environment
human-livestock welfare connection
-health and welfare of farmed animals is closely linked to well-being of producers
-cases of animals neglect are often precipitated by mental health issues
-animal disease events have a big impact on well-being of producers
farmers mental health
-62% psychological distress
-33% probable cases of anxiety
-15% probable cases of depression
-71.1 residence score (compared to US average population 75-83)
cycle of human-livestock interactions
- Stockperson (anxiety, stress, experience)
- Use of aversive handling
- The animal (negative experience, chronic fear, stress)
- Reduced welfare, health and productivity
sustainable goals connected to animal welfare
-no poverty
-zero hunger
-decent work and economic growth
-good health and well-being
animal welfare and animal health
*very connected
-we take care of animal’s health (animal welfare is strongly bound to our role)
1. Many welfare problems are risk factors
2. Many are associated to a stress response
3. Positive welfare increases immune function
welfare problems are risk factors
-for serveral diseases
Ex. more time standing or quick sudden movements=can lead to lameness
