People approach animal welfare from many different perspectives: some choose not to consume animal products at all, while others do so in keeping with a set of ethical standards. To maximize efficiency and profits, operators of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), also known as factory farms, and the companies they are accountable to generally prioritize rapid growth and production over animal health and welfare.

Their health and welfare are not considered as being fundamentally connected to the health of the whole the main concern is only for the final product. Animals and crops have always been in a symbiotic relationship with one another now, however, rather than viewing animals as sentient beings and part of the large interdependent systems, we have come to view animals as units of production. What Is Farm Animal Welfare?Īnimals have played a critical role in agriculture throughout human history, providing us with labor, fiber and food and enriching the soil with their waste. Fortunately, consumer pressure is beginning to turn the tide and leading to real improvements in some areas of farm animal welfare. Many animals raised for food or fiber are subject to inhumane treatment and living conditions. The modern, industrialized way in which we produce meat, dairy and other animal products has turned animals into units of production rather than being seen as sentient beings.

Industrial foregoing animal breeder