The Future of Animal Farming: Renewing the Ancient Contract

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Does animal welfare have a place in sustainable farming, or do the demands of a rising human population and the threat of climate change mean that the interests of animals must be put aside? Can we improve the way we keep animals and still feed the world - or is it a choice between ethics and economics?The aim of this book is to challenge the "them-and-us" thinking that sets the interests of humans and farm animals against each other and to show that to be really "sustainable," farming needs to include, not ignore, animal welfare. The authors of this remarkable book come from a diversity of backgrounds: industry, animal welfare organizations, academic institutions, and practical farming. They are united in arguing that farm animals matter and that sustainable farming must have animal welfare at its ethical core, along with the production of healthy, affordable food and care for the environment.Most people would like to see farm animals leading happy, contented lives but farmers have to make a living in a changing and competitive world. Is it possible to improve the way we keep animals and not put farmers out of business? Does it have to be a choice between ethics and economics? Between animals and humans? This book puts forward the case that we can, if we want to, 'have it all' - viable farms, healthy safe food, and an improved environment, as well as better lives for our farm animals.