About Compassion

We are the leading farm animal welfare charity

Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified by the development of factory farming. Farm animal welfare and well-being is at the heart of all our campaigns. Our scientific reports are based on the latest sound science.

Today we campaign peacefully to end all cruel factory farming practices. Every year factory farm systems impose suffering on billions of farm animals reared for food around the world.

We believe that the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach – so we only work on farm animal welfare.

Our passion for our work is supported by hard evidence and fact. This underpins all our campaigns and makes us the leading experts in our field.

• We carry out extensive research on farm animal welfare and are closely involved with a number of educational establishments.
• Our investigations unit works undercover, often in dangerous situations to expose the dirty secrets of factory farming.
• We have a hugely successful lobbying record, from obtaining a ban on narrow sow stalls in the UK to achieving recognition of animals as sentient beings in the European Treaty.
• Our Food Business team challenges the food industry to promote welfare improvements and provides concise consumer information.
• We have offices in several European countries as well as outposts in South Africa and China. We co-ordinate a coalition of active groups throughout the European Union.

Some of our achievements

• Veal crates: Banned in UK & Europe

  Since 2007 it has been illegal in the EU to rear calves in narrow veal crates. This cruel practice was banned in the UK in 1990, following a court case launched by Compassion in World Farming. Our hard work and persistence then helped bring an end to veal crates throughout Europe.

• Sow stalls: Banned in UK & Europe

  Following intense campaigning by Compassion, keeping pregnant sows in narrow stalls has been banned in the UK since 1999. Continued pressure means that, from 2013, these stalls will also be prohibited across the EU after the first four weeks of pregnancy.

• Barren battery cages: Banned in UK & Europe

  We helped secure an EU ban on barren battery cages for laying hens from 2012 – an achievement hailed by many as the single biggest victory for animal welfare in recent history. Compassion is now working across Europe to ensure this ban is implemented and enforced, in full and on time.

• Live exports: An end to subsidies

  Following a Compassion campaign, export subsidies for EU farmers transporting live cattle to the Middle East were eliminated in 2005. Compassion in World Farming continues to fight for a maximum live transport journey time of eight hours to be endorsed by EU Agriculture Ministers.

However, we still face many challenges if we are to realise our vision of a world where all farm animals are treated with compassion and respect and where cruel factory farming practices end.

If you agree with us that farm animals should not and need not suffer, please consider supporting us today.

You will be helping us improve the lives of billions.