Model Farm Project - The FAI approach

Having considered the implications of increasing intensification in livestock farming, FAI has introduced a fresh approach to redeveloping humane agricultural systems.

• 1. Understand the animals' origins: The needs of our domesticated livestock are essentially the same as those of their wild counterparts. It is important to understand the interactions between the animals’ needs and their social and physical environments.
  
  
• 2. Use animal welfare & behavioural science: Many of our existing farming systems were designed in the post-war period with an insufficient knowledge of animal welfare and behaviour. Today, 40 years of animal welfare and behaviour research have given us a much better understanding of how to keep animals healthy and provide them with what they want from their social and physical environments. We must understand the environments in which the animals evolved and take account of animal welfare and behaviour research to design humane and sustainable farming systems for the future.
  
  
• 3. 3. Take account of people and systems: Systems have to be practical, commercially viable and environmentally sustainable, and take account of local skills. All animal production systems are ultimately managed by people - when people struggle, animal welfare is neglected.
  
  
• 4. Understand consumer expectations: Develop a market where demand for welfare-friendly products already exists. and promote animal welfare as a core component of a quality food supply chain.