Document type: scientific synthesis published in Food Policy
Authors: Woolley, Sharon Pailler, Jonathan McFadden, Zach Raff, Sharon Raszap Skorbiansky, Kevin Kuruc
Preview: Public interest in improving farm animal welfare has increased in recent years, but research on implementation of on-farm enhanced welfare practices lags behind. This review examines the incentives and barriers to adoption of animal welfare-improving farming practices from the perspective of key stakeholders: farmers and other animal product producers. We perform a machine-learning aided scoping review of the academic literature studying how different rearing practices influence economic outcomes for producers, providing direct evidence on the (dis-)incentives of adopting the practices studied. This allows us to (1) identify existing consensus and (2) highlight research gaps on the economic factors related to adoption of (or lack of) welfare-improved practices. Operating costs emerge as a near-universal disincentive for welfare-improving practices. Conversely, improved indoor environments show potential benefits for animal health and productivity, suggesting the possibility of interventions that have only negligible impacts on overall profits. These takeaways are drawn from a relatively sparse literature, underscoring important research gaps. Addressing these gaps can inform evidence-based policies that align practice with public expectations for farm animal welfare while being cognizant of producer constraints and incentives.
