Independent report

FAWC opinion on policy instruments for improvement of farm animal welfare

Farm Animal Welfare Council advice to government about the range of policy instruments suitable for protecting and improving farm animal welfare.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 12 December 2008

Documents

FAWC opinion on policy instruments for improvement of farm animal welfare

PDF, 337 KB, 20 pages

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Details

To achieve the standard of farm animal welfare that people want, or expect, requires a coordinated approach to the use of policy instruments.

Legislation will always be necessary to protect animals from unacceptable treatment or to avoid unnecessary suffering and distress. But other policy instruments have a valuable role to play in other circumstances.

The opinion notes the potential power of the consumer and the market in improving welfare. One important recommendation is that serious consideration should be given to a labelling system to enable concerned consumers to make informed choices.

You can read more about the work of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee.

Published 12 December 2008