Increasing productivity, but at what cost?

Published 17/10/2012

Compassion's new research study looks at the relationship between food security and animal welfare.

Food Security and Farm Animal Welfare analyses food security and livestock systems. Supported by WSPA and the Tubney Charitable Trust, the study indicates that food security can be put at risk by intensifying livestock farming, low crop productivity and high meat consumption.

Compassion is asking for the government and non-government agencies to include farm animal welfare in future food security assessments and policies; and to reverse the intensification of livestock farming. Additionally, Compassion believes that sustainable, lower meat diets should be promoted. This would benefit not only food security but also human health. A heavy meat diet that is prevalent in the western world is proving to be detrimental in many areas.

Emily Lewis-Brown, Compassion's Research Manager says:"We must move away from a western-style diet, not just because it's damaging the planet and animals, but because it's linked to the biggest causes of death globally, heart diseases, and also some cancers."

The report shows that not only can extensive livestock farming improve food security, it is also better for animal welfare and could lead to a sustainable farming future.

Emily continues:"It is time to de-intensify food systems in the EU and USA and develop humane-sustainable farming systems which are fit for purpose and fit for the future."