Will artificial intelligence transform the way we assess animal welfare?
In recent decades there has been a growing focus on ethical and sustainable farming practices of which animal welfare is a critical component. Although there is no formally agreed upon definition of animal welfare, there is some consensus that the welfare of an animal is influenced by their experience of the world which is influenced by both internal and external factors (Fernandes et al., 2021)…
How are animals killed for food in Australia?
In Australia more than 785 million animals (cattle, sheep, pigs, and broiler chickens) were slaughtered from September 2023 to June 2024 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024). Slaughter refers to the act of killing an animal primarily for the purpose of human consumption, which is usually preceded by stunning, a procedure designed to cause loss of consciousness to prevent an animal from experiencing…
Can the slaughter of animals for meat production be humane?
The way in which an animal is slaughtered can have a major impact on their overall lifetime welfare. The point of slaughter is the last opportunity for an animal to be provided good welfare. While much of the research on animal welfare has focused on improving the welfare of animals during their lifetime…
