Schuppli Catherine A, Spooner Jeffrey M, von Keyserlingk Marina Ag
The University of British Columbia, Animal Welfare Program, British Columbia, Canada.
Anim Welf. 2023 May 15;32:e38. doi: 10.1017/awf.2023.32. eCollection 2023.
Concerns regarding the welfare of farm animals continue to grow. Traditionally, research efforts have largely focused on refining existing management practices to improve welfare. However, the incorporation of views from those directly involved in animal care is equally, if not more, important. This study investigated the perspectives of Canadian dairy farmers on animal welfare. We conducted 16 interviews with a total of 22 participants from four provinces across Canada. Recorded audio files and field notes were transcribed, anonymised, and coded using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. The interview data revealed two major themes: (1) animal dimension of animal welfare, including views related to biological functioning, naturalness and affective states; and (2) dairy farmer identity, including, the voice of the 'city', what it means to be a good 'cow-man', and the nature of human-animal relationships. Dairy farmers emphasised biological functioning, but they made numerous references to the emotional and natural living aspects of their animals' lives. Our work also provides evidence that farmers believed it was their duty to care for their animals beyond simply milking cows and making a profit. In terms of the larger debate, this study identified potential shared values with members of the public: opportunities for natural living and agency, attentiveness to individual animals, and the value of life over death. Finally, the emotional relationship that farmers developed with their animals highlights the values dairy farmers have for their animals beyond simply utilitarian function. Overall, these shared values could contribute to constructive dialogue.
对农场动物福利的关注持续增加。传统上，研究工作主要集中在改进现有的管理做法以提高福利。然而，纳入直接参与动物照料者的观点同样重要，甚至更为重要。本研究调查了加拿大奶农对动物福利的看法。我们对来自加拿大四个省份的22名参与者进行了16次访谈。对录制的音频文件和现场笔记进行了转录、匿名处理，并使用演绎和归纳主题分析进行编码。访谈数据揭示了两个主要主题：（1）动物福利的动物维度，包括与生物功能、自然状态和情感状态相关的观点；（2）奶农身份，包括“城里人”的声音、成为一名优秀“养牛人”的意义以及人-动物关系的本质。奶农强调生物功能，但他们多次提及动物生活中的情感和自然生活方面。我们的研究还证明，农民们认为他们有责任照顾动物，而不仅仅是挤奶和盈利。就更大范围的辩论而言，本研究确定了与公众可能的共同价值观：自然生活和自主行动的机会、对个体动物的关注以及生命高于死亡的价值。最后，农民与他们的动物建立的情感关系凸显了奶农对动物的价值，而不仅仅是功利功能。总体而言，这些共同价值观有助于进行建设性对话。
