Animal welfare in a world full of priorities

A report of the November 2012 meeting of the FEC’s Business Forum

In a world full of competing priorities, how do we keep the issue of farm animal welfare high on the agenda? Business and government are increasingly facing issues such as climate change, rising food and energy prices, population increase and pressure for sustainable development. Amidst these challenges, animal welfare appears to be slipping down the list.

The November 2012 Business Forum explored current and emerging issues in animal welfare and discussed whether there was conflict between ethically reared meat and dairy products and the interests of low income consumers at a time of rising food prices.

We are grateful to our speakers, vet Dick Sibley; Marian Stamp Dawkins, Professor of animal behaviour at Oxford University; and Kate Rawles, Food Ethics Council member and senior lecturer in outdoor studies at the University of Cumbria. Helen Browning OBE, Food Ethics Council Chair and Chief Executive of the Soil Association chaired the event.