Document type: opinion Document type: published in Animal Welfare
Authors: Bull, Birte L. Nielsen, Anna Silvera, Håkan Tunon, Linda J. Keeling
Abstract in French (translation): animal welfare mentioned in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals? But maybe that’s a good thing!
In this position paper, we argue that the absence of any reference to animal welfare in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) may not be as detrimental as some suggest. We put forward the idea that animal welfare an integral part of the concept of sustainability, and that development impacting animals cannot be sustainable without adequate consideration of their welfare; we provide examples to support this position. Simply put: the lack of mention means that animal welfare , and potentially should, be present throughout the goals. For farmed species, we argue that the synergies among the SDGs when animal welfare included far outweigh the conflicts typically highlighted. Furthermore, viewing animal welfare as an achievable goal and as a mechanism for sustainable development allows us to give the improvement of animal welfare the importance it deserves: an animal with poor welfare is not a sustainable animal. By extension, products derived from animals with poor welfare cannot be considered sustainable, and animal welfare necessarily part of a well-functioning ecosystem. Throughout this article, we argue that the challenge is not to add animal welfare, but to think about sustainability while taking animal welfare into account. We conclude by providing guidance on the areas where animal welfare be integrated when developing sustainable actions.
Abstract in English (original) : In this Opinion Paper, we argue that the absence of animal welfare in the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) may not be as detrimental as some suggest. We put forward the view that the welfare of animals is an integral part of the concept of sustainability, that development which affects animals cannot be sustainable without due consideration to their welfare, and we give examples in support of this position. Put simply: no mention means animal welfare could be, and potentially should be, anywhere and everywhere in the goals. For livestock species, we submit that the synergies between the SDGs when animal welfare is included greatly outweigh the conflicts usually highlighted. Further, considering animal welfare as both an achievable goal and as a mechanism for sustainable development allows improvement of animal welfare to carry the weight it warrants: an animal with poor welfare is not a sustainable animal. By extension, products from animals with poor welfare cannot be considered sustainable, and animal welfare is necessarily included in a well-functioning ecosystem. Through the paper we argue that the challenge is not to add in animal welfare, but to think sustainability with animal welfare. We conclude by giving directions to where animal welfare can be integrated when developing sustainable actions.
