Sustainability, including animal welfare, in future animal production.(in Chinese) (original) (raw)

2018, In Scientific Perspectives to Farm Animal Welfare, (in Chinese) Ed. D.Cao, and G. Xianhong, 3-15. Beijing: China Agricultural University Press.

Consumers now demand that systems used in all production and other activities be sustainable. If they are not, retail companies, production companies and countries that do not produce good quality, sustainable products are likely to be boycotted and hence forced to change. Animal usage systems are most often considered unsustainable because of poor welfare of people, poor welfare of other animals, genetic modification, or harmful environmental effects. Most of the public now think of farm and companion animals as sentient beings and have concerns about their welfare. The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. This refers to all coping systems and includes health and feelings such as pain. Both good and poor welfare can be assessed using a wide variety of behavioural, physiological, clinical, brain function and other measures. The concepts of “one health” and “one welfare” emphasise that most of the mechanisms involved and measures to be used in evaluation are the same in humans and non-humans. Welfare outcome indicators can be used by veterinary and other inspectors, as well as by those who use animals. New sustainable systems, such as semi-intensive silvopastoral systems, are needed for the future. (Main text in Chinese)