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Animal Welfare Integration With Other Issues
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SAC has an increasing interest in the interaction between the biology of animal welfare and social science. In part this is driven by the realisation that understanding the sociological aspects of the animal welfare debate can inform our strategies to reconcile public expectations for farm animal welfare.
However, we believe that there is also much to be gained from applying quantitative economics to animal welfare. For example, the application of economic modelling at farm level can help in identifying least cost routes to improving animal welfare. At the national level we can use economics to look at trade-offs between animal welfare and other societal concerns such as climate change.
Policy Relevance
Farm animal welfare is a high profile societal issue. Nonetheless improvements in animal welfare need to be worked through the economic system and balanced against other objectives. SAC research is providing policy makers with a systematic approach to understanding the wider implications of improving animal welfare.