Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis
Farm animal welfare (FAW) is a growing societal concern, reflected by over 30 years of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the wealth of evidence to improve FAW, implementation of good practice continues to be an issue. The role of the stakeholder, particularly farmers, is pivotal to FAW...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1524 |
| _version_ | 1797555253456928768 |
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| author | Agnese Balzani Alison Hanlon |
| author_facet | Agnese Balzani Alison Hanlon |
| author_sort | Agnese Balzani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Farm animal welfare (FAW) is a growing societal concern, reflected by over 30 years of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the wealth of evidence to improve FAW, implementation of good practice continues to be an issue. The role of the stakeholder, particularly farmers, is pivotal to FAW improvement. This semi-systematic review synthesizes the evidence published in the last 30 years, worldwide, to address two main questions “what do farmers think (farmer’s general view) about farm animal welfare?” and “what are the factors that influence their thinking?”. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influenced the implementation of FAW innovation. The main outcomes extracted from 96 peer-reviewed publications on a range of livestock species identified 11 internal factors including farmer knowledge, empathy, personality, values, and human-animal bond; 15 external factors including economic advantages, communication, time and labor influenced the perception of FAW. Farmers’ knowledge and cost implications of FAW were the most frequently reported factors. The review further highlights the need for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder participation. This study suggests strategies to improve FAW, including tools to support behavioral changes amongst farmers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:44:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-566e74c1530c46d4a1ed33c85031188b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:44:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-566e74c1530c46d4a1ed33c85031188b2023-11-20T11:42:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-08-01109152410.3390/ani10091524Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic AnalysisAgnese Balzani0Alison Hanlon1School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, IrelandSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, IrelandFarm animal welfare (FAW) is a growing societal concern, reflected by over 30 years of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the wealth of evidence to improve FAW, implementation of good practice continues to be an issue. The role of the stakeholder, particularly farmers, is pivotal to FAW improvement. This semi-systematic review synthesizes the evidence published in the last 30 years, worldwide, to address two main questions “what do farmers think (farmer’s general view) about farm animal welfare?” and “what are the factors that influence their thinking?”. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influenced the implementation of FAW innovation. The main outcomes extracted from 96 peer-reviewed publications on a range of livestock species identified 11 internal factors including farmer knowledge, empathy, personality, values, and human-animal bond; 15 external factors including economic advantages, communication, time and labor influenced the perception of FAW. Farmers’ knowledge and cost implications of FAW were the most frequently reported factors. The review further highlights the need for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder participation. This study suggests strategies to improve FAW, including tools to support behavioral changes amongst farmers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1524farm animal welfarefarmersperceptionsattitudesempathyhuman animal relationship |
| spellingShingle | Agnese Balzani Alison Hanlon Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis Animals farm animal welfare farmers perceptions attitudes empathy human animal relationship |
| title | Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis |
| title_full | Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis |
| title_short | Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis |
| title_sort | factors that influence farmers views on farm animal welfare a semi systematic review and thematic analysis |
| topic | farm animal welfare farmers perceptions attitudes empathy human animal relationship |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1524 |
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