dairy production lec 16

Question 1

what is welfare an interaction between

Answer 1

• interaction between ethics, legislation, economics and animal welfare research

Question 2

how is economics related to welfare

Answer 2

• economics imp
  o minimise cost
  o consumer driven change

Question 3

what is market driven change and what are possible disadvantages of this

Answer 3

• market driven change
  o Ignorance of animal welfare plays a big role in food consumption decisions
   focus of welfare organisations
  o don’t always get it right
   increased awareness, calls for change in legislation
   legislation may be too restrictive

Question 4

what are the limitations of market force

Answer 4

-	limitation of market forces
o	Markets can negatively affect welfare 
	Live Export markets 
	Cull stock have low value 
•	eg broilers 
	High genetic merit animals 
	Treatment limitations of organic farming 
•	try not to treat with drugs

Question 5

how does legislation impact on welfare e.g.?

Answer 5

-	US failure in legislation  
o	Humane Society banned human consumption of horse meat 
o	As a result 2/3 abattoirs closed and; 
	Horses now
•	 transported further for slaughter 
o	exported to Mexico 
•	turned out in the desert 
•	worked in Mexico until debilitated

Question 6

what is better: - Ethical Vegetarian vs Socially Conscious Omnivore and why?

Answer 6

• Ethical Vegetarian vs Socially Conscious Omnivore
  o buying high welfare standards more impact on farm animal welfare than being a vegetarian
   Money talks and it is louder if spent than withheld
   consumers willing to pay more for ethical products

Question 7

what are some examples of market driven change

Answer 7

• e.g. caged eggs, free range, sow stalls
  o increase in humane products
  o may be at the expense of the other parts of the industry as overall less product sold

Question 8

what are vets/advisors role in welfare

Answer 8

• Welfare changes need to be market driven
• Vets/Advisors have
  o MORAL obligation towards welfare
  o SOCIAL obligation towards clients
• Can add value along the supply chain by anticipating welfare issues

Question 9

what are 2 examples of how our role can improve welfare and production

Answer 9

• Lead by example in your handling/management of animals
  o Eg low stress handling
  o Bruising costs Australian beef industry $36 million annually
• Promote the business benefits of welfare improvements
  o Eg Lameness monitoring and prevention
   Less milk loss and higher value culls