World leaders commit to sustainable livestock farming

Jul 5, 2012

Global leaders have agreed to promote sustainable livestock farming at the recent Rio +20 Earth Summit.

Government officials from around the globe have highlighted the importance of sustainable livestock farming in the Summit’s conclusion, recognising the need for a production system which is good for both people and animals.

WSPA supporters from all over the world helped ensure that animals were on the agenda at Rio, calling on their country’s representatives to promote kinder, clever farming on their behalf.

What happens next?

Dr Mike Appleby, WSPA's Chief Scientific Adviser for Humane Sustainable Agriculture said: "Developing humane animal welfare practices is central to society being able to tackle environmental and development issues such as climate change, disaster management, deforestation, pollution, water and food security.

"The fact that world leaders recognised that the importance of farm animals in solving these global issues is a great achievement. But there is still a big job ahead of us. Now we need to ensure that farm animal welfare is a core part of national and global policies for, and solutions to, food security, food safety and sustainable development."

WSPA will now ask that global institutions, inter-governmental agencies, and governments at all levels launch efforts to introduce policies and legislation that improve the welfare of farm animals across the world. 

Keep up to date with our farming work in our monthly e-newsletters >>