VETERINARY, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CATTLE WELFARE: A REVIEW

Abstract

The paper presents a review of the literature on cattle welfare. The objective of this review is to outline the veterinary, economic, and social aspects of cattle welfare and highlight the current problems, global trends, and solutions. The global major scientific reference databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus) were reviewed. The review brought the following findings: a change in scientific and practical approaches to the understanding and assessment of the welfare of productive animals that requires not only health maintenance, stress prevention, or the ability of animals to express natural behavior. Animal welfare gains more anthropometric traits, including such concepts as 'pleasure' or 'happiness'. The concept of 'positive welfare' has become a more popular trend in scientific research on animal welfare. The review identified positive trends of possible modification of production systems, to make them more diverse and animal welfare friendly. The research found livestock products consumers growing concerned about animal welfare and housing conditions. The concept of welfare is more commercialized, which encourages livestock producers to adhere to ethical production standards. However, the demand of consumers to meet high standards of animal welfare does not have sufficient economic leverage. Only a few are willing to pay more for the better welfare of the animals or to refuse to consume animal products from production systems with poor welfare conditions. This review was intended to draw the attention of scientists, farmers, and consumers to the problems of the humane treatment of productive animals. And to assist stakeholders in finding their place in the process of creating better conditions for animals that are used for food, helping people with their existence or with their lives.