Animal ownership, rights and welfare - an investigation from livestock industry perspectives.
| Project start date: | 20 July 2013 |
| Project end date: | 09 September 2013 |
| Publication date: | 09 September 2013 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Goat, Lamb, Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
Summary
The initial title "Animal Rights beyond Welfare" aimed to indicate that livestock industries with well-developed Animal Welfare policies and practices, could be surprised by the directions in which animal rights may head over the next decade/s. This Project aimed to jump past today's regulatory discussions and occasional media activity, and to look forward 5-10+ years. It investigated underlying societal, legal and scientific and market drivers to accord more rights to animals and to gauge the pace of possible changes in the position of animals in the view of societies in advanced economies.
There is potential, for instance, for animal rights activists to enter uncharted territory if foundation commercial concepts of property and associated owner rights and responsibilities are tested. Australian livestock industries will need to be proactive on multiple fronts including research planning. Although industry investment in welfare research and policy has increased, amongst other things there is need for reasoned and evidenced inputs by livestock industries to balance or lead debate in near and longer terms.
The report had a 10+ year outlook and was revised in 2013.
