Robbins J A, von Keyserlingk M A G, Fraser D, Weary D M
J Anim Sci. 2016 Dec;94(12):5439-5455. doi: 10.2527/jas.2016-0805.
Critics of agricultural intensification have argued that the transition from smaller to larger farms has compromised animal welfare. To critically examine evidence relevant to this claim, we reviewed more than 150 publications that examined the relationship between farm size and at least one animal welfare indicator. Although much of this literature focuses on dairy cattle, we also reference other farmed species where appropriate. We found little evidence of any simple relationship, negative or positive, between farm size and animal welfare. Instead, the evidence suggests that larger farms provide some opportunities to improve animal welfare but may also create welfare risks. For example, larger farms permit more specialized and professional management of animal health but can make it more difficult to accommodate outdoor access that some view as integral to animal welfare. Future research should attempt to specify the underlying casual mechanisms by which statistical associations between farm size and indicators of welfare are believed to occur. We also suggest that policy and advocacy efforts aimed at reversing increases in farm size would be better directed toward improving welfare on farms of all sizes.
农业集约化的批评者认为，从小农场向大农场的转变损害了动物福利。为了严格审查与这一说法相关的证据，我们查阅了150多篇研究农场规模与至少一项动物福利指标之间关系的出版物。尽管这些文献大多聚焦于奶牛，但我们也在适当的时候引用了其他养殖物种的相关内容。我们几乎没有发现证据表明农场规模与动物福利之间存在任何简单的正相关或负相关关系。相反，有证据表明，大型农场提供了一些改善动物福利的机会，但也可能带来福利风险。例如，大型农场允许对动物健康进行更专业化和职业化的管理，但可能会使提供一些人认为对动物福利至关重要的户外活动空间变得更加困难。未来的研究应该尝试明确农场规模与福利指标之间统计关联所据信的潜在因果机制。我们还建议，旨在扭转农场规模扩大趋势的政策和宣传努力，最好转向改善各种规模农场的福利。
