In recent years, animal welfare has become a major societal issue. Under the influence of animal protection associations, legislation and practices are evolving in our French livestock farms. At a time when consumers, associations, and public authorities are demanding greater transparency from our livestock farmers, let's see how agricultural professionals are adapting to meet these new expectations.

Societal developments that are disrupting livestock farming

Do you know that according to an IFOP survey from 2023, 82% of French people today consider that animal welfare must be a national priority for public authorities as well as for players in the agricultural sector?

In recent years, consumers have become aware of the impact their lifestyles have on animal husbandry methods. As consumer demand for meat increases, animal husbandry intensifies, sometimes taking worrying turns. Reports by the media and animal welfare organizations reveal some of the most terrifying practices on certain farms.

This awareness is pushing institutions to react in order to adopt measures that encourage, or even oblige, farmers to adopt practices that are more respectful of animal welfare.

Now, the pressure is no longer only coming from the legislator, but also from consumers who now have the power to exert pressure thanks to social networks.

A development driven by major legislative reforms

In recent years, the public authorities have adopted a number of measures to improve the living conditions of animals in farms.

Take the example of housing conditions on cattle farms. The reforms have notably encouraged professionals to invest in structures and cattle breeding equipment more secure and which guarantee sufficient space for the animals.

Under the influence of associations and consumers, other reforms have also gradually put an end to the use of cages in laying hen farms and to move away from a production method with disastrous consequences.

Similarly, we have also seen the ban on the grinding of male chicks in favor of in ovo sexing, a technology that allows the sex of the animal to be determined before hatching.

Animal transport is better regulated in order to limit travel time and to require ventilation and hydration equipment.

Cameras will now also be required in slaughterhouses. Several establishments are currently testing this system, which guarantees greater transparency.

Livestock practices that change on the ground

All these regulations are forcing breeders and livestock equipment suppliers to review their organization and practices in the field. Most breeders are committed even going beyond the legal framework by voluntarily integrating processes to improve the living conditions of animals:

• Access to the outdoors in sheep, cattle and poultry farms to offer better quality products with animals that thrive in the great outdoors.
• Spaces enriched with straw, perches, dust baths for poultry, scratching posts for cattle, and even music to relax the animals.
• Better quality feed for healthier herds and better quality products.
• Health prevention to avoid the systematic use of antibiotics. Monitoring is more regular and the use of alternative methods is favored.

MSD Animal Health reports that animal welfare is gradually being seen as a driver of improvement within the sectors, with benefits for both animals and for breeders and consumers.

The role of labels and certifications

Today, the role labels in quality assurance, traceability and respect for the animal is very important. Here are some examples:

• Label Rouge: imposes breeding conditions that exceed conventional standards.
• AB (Organic Agriculture): guarantees access to the outdoors, organic food and strict respect for the natural cycle.
• Animal Welfare Label (A to E), introduced in 2018: it classifies products according to objective criteria, from housing to transport, and is becoming widespread in mass distribution.

According to CRÉDOC, the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions, in 2022, more than 60% of French people said they took labels into account when purchasing food. This proportion increases each year with the rise in eco-responsible lifestyles.

New challenges for breeders

Improve the comfort and well-being of animals in livestock farming, however, requires investments in an already sensitive sector: more spacious buildings, monitoring technologies, adaptation of production lines. Some breeders fear that these costs will not be offset by the price paid to producers.

However, according to several studies, more than 70% of French people would be prepared to pay 5 to 10% more for their products if they had better guarantees in terms of animal welfare, health safety, traceability or promotion of local agriculture.

The use of technologies for animal welfare

Modernizing livestock farming isn't just about renovating buildings. New technologies from agri-food engineering now offer valuable tools for better monitoring herds.

Take the example of connected sensors that measure activity and detect a health problem before it becomes critical, or smart cameras capable of recognizing abnormal behavior in a group.

Today, artificial intelligence is also highly integrated into new technologies used in livestock farming. Thanks to feeding robots, for example, animals receive all the nutrients and the sufficient quantity of food to ensure their well-being. This helps reduce stress and ensure regular care. The same goes for the latest generation of cleaning robots, which offer massage functions to relax herds.

All these innovations make it possible to combine productivity and respect for living things and many engineers are working to find other solutions.

In France, animal welfare is no longer an option. Social pressures, regulations, and innovations are forcing livestock farming to evolve. While the economic challenges are real, the benefits are just as real: a positive image among consumers, better animal health, and sometimes even performance gains for farms.