Animal Harms and Food Production: Informing Ethical Choices

Ethical food choices have become an important societal theme in post-industrial countries. Many consumers are particularly interested the animal welfare implications of various foods they may choose to consume. However, concepts rapidly evolving towards consideration all animals (including wildlife) contemporary approaches such as “One Welfare”. This approach requires recognition that negative impacts (harms) be intentional and obvious (e.g., slaughter livestock) but also include under-appreciated indirect or unintentional harms often impact wildlife land clearing). is especially true Anthropocene, where on non-human life almost ubiquitous across human activities. We applied “harms” model assessment several common production systems provide a framework for assessing breadth (not intensity) imposed. considered caused wild well domestic animals, both direct effects effects. described 21 forms harm how 16 production. Our analysis suggests some degree majority these affect wildlife, not livestock. conclude likely impose greatest overall intensive agriculture industries dairy) rely secondary system cropping), while harvesting locally available plants, mushrooms seaweed least harms. present this conceptual resource those who want begin considering complex trade-offs involved their choices.