Sustainability
Sustainable Agriculture
The conventional, high-yield agricultural production system has arguably been the most detrimental thing to the welfare of animals and the environment. It is predicated on the exploitation of animals and on the vast input of natural resources.
Today, consumers are more concerned about the impact that food production has on animals and the environment, as well as the impact that these products have on their own health. One possible alternative to this exploitation and environmental degradation is sustainable agriculture. Sustainable farming systems try to preserve natural resources and regenerate ecosystems for the future.
Animals play a key role in sustainable farming systems. The welfare of these animals must be taken into account, and it must be ensured, not only because they have intrinsic value but also because improving animal welfare helps prevent diseases and reduces the need to use antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals. In addition to being beneficial for the environment, it therefore helps lower the cost of health issues and their impact.
A positive human-animal relationship, which helps people and animals thrive, should be the goal in agricultural systems.
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
The global authority for animal health describes how improving animal welfare is a key pillar towards sustainability.
www.woah.org/en/document/animal-welfare-a-vital-asset-for-a-more-sustainable-world/
Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL)
The GASL as a multi-stakeholder partnership considers good animal health and welfare as a requisite for the sustainable development of the livestock sector. www.livestockdialogue.org/fileadmin/templates/res_livestock/docs/Action_Networks/GASL_Booklet_Health_and_Welfare_30-09-2022_Medium.pdf www.livestockdialogue.org/fileadmin/templates/res_livestock/docs/2014_Colombia/2014_Towards_Sustainable_Livestock-dec.pdf
World Animal Protection, Humane Society International & Brighter Green
Three global organisations provide recommendations for an animal-friendly and sustainable agriculture to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at UN Climate Change Commission.
unfccc.int/resource/docs/2013/smsn/ngo/399.pdf
Heifer International Animal
The US-based organization outlines its baseline for animal well-being in projects.
media.heifer.org/support/Heifer_International_Animal_Well-Being_Guidelines_and_Standards_121818.pdf
Biovision
The Swiss Foundation provides resources related to animal health and welfare in sustainable food production and ecological development contexts.
infonet-biovision.org/animal_husbandry_and_welfare
Farm Animal Welfare Council
The UK´s expert committee analyses how the sustainable agriculture´s agenda influences animal welfare and gives recommendations.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593479/Advice_about_sustainable_agriculture_and_farm_animal_welfare_-_final_2016.pdf
Slow Food
The global network provides information about the most recent political developments around animal welfare.
www.slowfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EN_Policy-Brief-on-Animal-Welfare.pdf
Agroecology
Agroecology is a science and also a social movement. It is an area of research which promotes integrative, multidisciplinary alternatives to the industrial system of food production, in favour of more sustainable and fairer food systems.
The global socio-ecological crisis has revealed the shortcomings of conventional agricultural systems. In separating crop and animal production, it increases the need for external inputs. In sum, it has failed to achieve the original goals of the “Green Revolution”: increasing productivity in order to end world hunger. One of agroecology’s main goals is to once again reintegrate crop and animal production. It does so under the principle of biomimetics or biomimicry: imitating the natural behaviour of local ecosystems.
By respecting and promoting animals’ natural nutritional, environmental and behavioural needs, agroecology could contribute to the health and welfare of animals as well as to the sustainability of the system.
FAO
The specialised agency from the United Nations explains how agroecology can contribute to the well-being and health of animals.
www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1636724/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz0GutJc6CI
Compassion in World Farming
The UK-based organisation provides information on the different aspects of agroecology and why it results into a smart and efficient farming system.
www.ciwf.org.uk/media/7428908/agroecology-ecologically-smart-farming.pdf
Agroforestry
This nature-based land use and production approach integrates trees with crops or trees with livestock, or a combination of both. The purpose is to obtain multiple benefits from the positive interaction of all components, for example improved environmental conditions and fodder diversity for animals resulting in increased yield while contributing to soil and water conservation.
Agricology
An independent knowledge platform delivered by the UK organisation Organic Research Centre, provides resources t understand the benefits of agroforestry in livestock keeping systems.
agricology.co.uk/resource/agroforestry-livestock-systems/
Tsega Berhe Debesai et al.
This research conducted by members of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) demonstrates the synergies of animal welfare and agroforestry.
www.researchgate.net/publication/Synergies_of_Animal_Welfare_and_Agroforestry