International Projects - China

China

Intensive farms in China are vastly outnumbered by household-run backyard farms raising for example, one to nine pigs. These small scale farms usually take excellent care of their animals and are resourceful and efficient producers; the reason behind China's (to date) self-sufficient food production. However, China has recently opened its doors to investments by major multinational meat and dairy producers, as well as animal feed corporations. Keen to increase output, these corporations and the Chinese government are championing the intensive systems of raising farmed animals that have become commonplace in industrialised countries. Since the time of the famine, ensuring a sufficient food supply has been a national priority in China. While this industrial model of animal agriculture is promoted as an efficient modern means of production, such operations bring with them significant environmental and social costs such as massive water pollution, soil degradation, rising rates of obesity and chronic disease, risks to food security and safety, and declining animal welfare.

The Model Farm Project has established a small network of humane and sustainable Model Farms in the Beijing province and is currently in dialogue with individuals and organisations to establish farms in the South of China and Inner Mongolia. These farms are rearing traditional or slow growing breeds of animals with high welfare, under organic conditions. Their products are obtaining a premium price in the market, supplying the growing middle-class Chinese consumer with food that is safe and ethically produced.

Outcome Measures

The Model Farm Project recognises that there are a variety of farming methods, which can be economically viable, environmentally and ethically sustainable. The techniques and practices used on farms in Europe may simply not be applicable or possible to small scale Chinese farmers with traditional breeds. Rather than prescribe how the Model Farms in China are to raise their animals we are developing a few key input standards and outcome measures to which our network of farms are working towards. Outcome Measures are direct observations of animals (for example, feather condition of laying hens or tail biting in pigs) and it is now recognised that they can provide a more robust assessment of animal welfare than input standards alone. The FAI Outcome Measures are are a practical adaptation of those developed by the Welfare Quality® project and our own farming and food supply chain knowledge, we will continue to adapt and update as new knowledge and experience becomes available.

Photo source: www.china-chicken.com