For centuries, family farmers have been raising livestock for human consumption. They are conscious of their responsibilities towards the animals in their care. Indeed, good animal welfare practices reward farmers with good animal productivity. Animal welfare must be safeguarded in the production of farm animals in the breeding process, when designing housing, in feeding and in production systems, as well as during transport and slaughter.

As the distance between farmers and consumers grows with increasing urbanization, consumers know less and less about the way farm animals are raised. However, consumers do care about how their food is produced, including how farm animals are treated. Increasingly, they require assurances that the well-being of animals is being taken into account in livestock farming practices.

Farmers realize that animals welfare has also become a global concern in a context of increasing market globalization. They recognize that the adoption of and respect for internationally harmonized minimum standards for animal welfare requirements are necessary to maintain consumer confidence in livestock products. Indeed, the high costs for animal welfare compliance will be rewarded with better opportunities for international trade.