"Farm Animal Welfare and Farmer's Welfare" Lecture

"Farm Animal Welfare and Farmer's Welfare" Lecture

Time: January 24, 2022 (Mon) 14:00 - 15:45

Aims: To provide an in-depth understanding of the current situation and problems of farm animals and the welfare of and issues faced by farmers in unseen places and areas.

Venue: Online

Content: Beginning with the history of farm animals, the lecture covers the development of farming in Japan and presents the content of animal welfare. This is followed by an explanation of farm animal management science and farming methods that focus on animal welfare. Then the relationship between farmer welfare and farm animal welfare, and the issues and challenges faced by farmers were mentioned. Finally, a Q&A session was held with the participants.

Lecturer: Hiromi Kato (National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation)

Number of participants: 35.

Summary: Farmers are faced with a lot of challenges in the harsh environment of farm animals, and on 24 January 2022, we held an online seminar on the topic of farm animal welfare and farmer welfare. We invited Ms. Hiromi Kato from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation to give a detailed presentation on farm animal welfare and farmer welfare, and to discuss with the participants in a Q&A session at the end.

The dilemma facing farming families

The decline in the number of farmers and the ageing of the farming population are increasing the problems and pressures faced by farmers.

Due to recent improvements in transport technology, products imported from abroad are often of better quality and cheaper than domestic products. As a result, domestically produced products are sometimes caught in price competition and cannot be sold at the expected price.

The environment surrounding agriculture is becoming increasingly difficult.

Despite this harsh environment, the working conditions and incomes of farmers are not ideal. Working from early in the morning until late at night, the monthly income may not be much. Of course, there are farmers who earn more money each year as self-employed, but only a small percentage.

As a result of these poor conditions, fewer young people are working in agriculture, and they are getting older.

What is the Farmer's Welfare? Why should we value the Farmer's Welfare?

The Farmer's Welfare is "a state of being physically, mentally and socially fulfilled".

Sustainable agriculture is "the health and well-being of people, farm animals, the environment and the social environment". Good milk comes from healthy cows, and healthy cows come from healthy farmers.

Why do we need agriculture? "To protect agriculture is to protect your physical and mental health. We believe that this is necessary to build a sustainable society.

Agriculture and rural areas have multiple functions for society: food production, disaster prevention (floods, landslides), climate stabilisation (heat reduction), environmental protection (water (groundwater) and air), biological conservation, landscape protection, cultural transmission, healing and comforting effects (medical effects), educational functions, contribution to providing workplaces and energy production (biomass, etc.). Energy production (biomass, etc.). In our discussions with researchers involved in Farmer's Welfare, we have learnt that there are many obstacles and problems that need to be solved for The Farmer's Welfare in Japan. There is also a great need for public understanding.

The most important thing is that the world is one and the focus on the Farmer's Welfare will give them more power and scope to treat farm animals well. On the other hand, it will also improve the quality of the food we all eat, as we continue to work towards a healthier future.