Opportunities for the progression of farm animal welfare in China

Authors: SINCLAIR, MICHELLE - Harvard University; LEE, HP - University Of British Columbia; CHEN, MARIA - University Of British Columbia; LI, X - Henan Agricultural University; MI, J - South China Agricultural Univerisity; CHEN, S - Fushan University; Marchant, Jeremy

Submitted to: Frontiers in Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2022
Publication Date: 4/15/2022
Citation: Sinclair, M., Lee, H., Chen, M., Li, X., Mi, J., Chen, S., Marchant, J.N. 2022. Opportunities for the progression of farm animal welfare in China. Frontiers in Animal Science . 3. Article 893772. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2022.893772.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2022.893772

Interpretive Summary: In the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic, following on the back of an animal agriculture industry severely impacted by animal disease epidemics such as African Swine Fever and H5N1 (Avian Influenza) – the time for rethinking paradigms, approaches and collaborations has come. As the world’s largest livestock producer, China has made progress to improve farm animal welfare in recent years. Recognizing the importance of locally-led initiatives, this study aimed to engage the knowledge and perspectives of Chinese leaders in order to identify opportunities to further improve farm animal welfare in China. A team of Chinese field researchers engaged 100 senior stakeholders in the agriculture sector (livestock business leaders, agriculture strategists and intellects, government representatives, licenced veterinarians, agriculture lawyers and national animal welfare advocates). Participants completed a Chinese questionnaire hosted in on a national platform. The raw data responses were then translated and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis from which themes were built and resulting recommendations were made. The findings of this study urge emphasis on the ties between improved animal welfare with food safety, product quality and profit, and demonstrate the existence of animal welfare opportunities outside of the immediate introduction of specific animal protection legislation. The resulting applications are anticipated to be of strategic use to stakeholders interested in improving farm animal welfare in China.

Technical Abstract: In the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic, following on the back of an animal agriculture industry severely impacted by animal disease epidemics such as African Swine Fever and H5N1 (Avian Influenza) – the time for rethinking paradigms, approaches and collaborations has come. As the world’s largest livestock producer, China has made progress to improve farm animal welfare in recent years. Recognizing the importance of locally-led initiatives, this study aimed to engage the knowledge and perspectives of Chinese leaders in order to identify opportunities to further improve farm animal welfare in China. A team of Chinese field researchers engaged 100 senior stakeholders in the agriculture sector (livestock business leaders, agriculture strategists and intellects, government representatives, licenced veterinarians, agriculture lawyers and national animal welfare advocates). Participants completed a Chinese questionnaire hosted in on a national platform. The raw data responses were then translated and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis from which themes were built and resulting recommendations were made. The findings of this study urge emphasis on the ties between improved animal welfare with food safety, product quality and profit, and demonstrate the existence of animal welfare opportunities outside of the immediate introduction of specific animal protection legislation. The resulting applications are anticipated to be of strategic use to stakeholders interested in improving farm animal welfare in China.