European agricultural policy and farm animal welfare

This paper examines a neglected aspect of food policy: the impact of agricu ltural policy on farm animal welfare. Defining farm animal welfare is diffi cult but some general standards are now widely accepted and the determinant s of these are increasingly seen as being tied up with farm structural and enterprise characteristics. In Europe both of these are heavily influenced by the Common Agricultural Policy:. The influence of the CAP on farm animal welfare is explored through examination of two important sectors - dairyin g and pigs, In both cases it is concluded that the CAP, either directly or indirectly, has encouraged the structural changes in these sectors that acc ount for a deteriorating record of farm animal welfare. However, it is conc eded that market and technological factors are also of considerable importa nce, More research is required to isolate policy influences. In the meantim e the reform of the CAP heralded by Agenda 2000 provides an opportunity to ensure that welfare is more centrally recognised within the CAP. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.