Farm Animal Welfare

Animals born with bones and muscles are meant to move. In modern systems of intensive agriculture, however, many animals — notably, swine, veal calves, and poultry — are rigorously confined. In this book Professor Bernard E. Rollin describes problems of animal welfare in today's agriculture, discusses the research that exists for improving these systems, and proposes topics for further study.

Rollin urges animal producers and agricultural scientists to begin now to address welfare problems. He cites the biomedical research community, which ignored issues of pain control and animal welfare until public concern led to federal legislation. Promising work has already been done in Europe, where the public has demanded that livestock not suffer. A new social ethic in the United States calls for humane agricultural systems that meet the needs and natures of the animals we use. Striking a balanced and rational approach, Rollin's thoughtful text is valuable reading for animal producers, agricultural scientists, veterinarians, animal advocates, and the general public.

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

Animals born with bones and muscles are meant to move. In modern systems of intensive agriculture, however, many animals -- notably, swine, veal calves, and poultry -- are rigorously confined. In this book Professor Bernard E. Rollin describes problems of animal welfare in today's agriculture, discusses the research that exists for improving these systems, and proposes topics for further study.

Rollin urges animal producers and agricultural scientists to begin now to address welfare problems. He cites the biomedical research community, which ignored issues of pain control and animal welfare until public concern led to federal legislation. Promising work has already been done in Europe, where the public has demanded that livestock not suffer. A new social ethic in the United States calls for humane agricultural systems that meet the needs and natures of the animals we use. Striking a balanced and rational approach, Rollin's thoughtful text is valuable reading for animal producers, agricultural scientists, veterinarians, animal advocates, and the general public.

Randall S. Ott

This book addresses welfare issues surrounding the use of farm animals in the various animal industries, e.g., beef, swine, dairy, veal, and poultry. This book is an attempt to find the middle ground in the area of farm animal well-being. The author attempts, unsuccessfully, to reconcile the dichotomy of animal rights and animal welfare in part 1. However, he effectively builds a case that animal welfare-friendly agriculture is a viable area of research. In part 2, he articulates specific areas of concern and opportunities for the improvement of farm animal welfare. This book will be of value to producers, practitioners, and students. It brings to light many of the industry-associated welfare issues for the various farm animal species. The author has educated himself and taught about these issues. His insights are useful for those inside of the agricultural community as well as for those outside of it. His broad-based coverage across the various animal industries is commendable. Some of the references are anecdotal and based on personal exchanges. However, the author often uses these to enhance the reader's understanding of the various attitudes and reactions of people to the issues under discussion. The division of welfare, first by industry and then by issues, makes this book a quick and easy reference for the subject of farm animal welfare. This book provides an interesting and broadly based discussion of animal welfare problems in the beef, dairy, swine, veal, and poultry industries. More importantly, the opportunities for proactive improvement of farm animal welfare are repeatedly emphasized.

Rollin, Bernard E., PhD (Colorado State Univ)