'The Unseen Life of Farm Animals' – Humane World for Animals launches public campaign to raise awareness of farm animal welfare
The campaign appeals to the general public to make informed and responsible decisions that can increase the welfare of farm animals, as well as sustainability in the industry.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as Humane Society International, launches “The Invisible Life of Farm Animals”, a powerful campaign that exposes the hidden suffering behind industrial farming systems and encourages consumers, companies and producers in Romania to make informed decisions and take concrete steps to improve animal welfare.
Treated as goods rather than sentient beings, farm animals live in conditions that cause them suffering and deny them the opportunity to express their natural behaviors, thereby compromising their physical and emotional well-being.
Through campaigns for the welfare of farmed animals, Humane World for Animals advocates for stronger European legislation and works with companies around the world to implement cage-free and pen-free policies for birds and pigs. Our efforts aim to inspire change in both consumer behavior and the way the industry treats animals.
In Romania, this campaign comes at an important time, as the European Union continues to review and strengthen farm animal welfare legislation. As one of the key players in the European meat and egg market, Romania has both the opportunity and the responsibility to align itself with higher welfare standards. Consumers have every right to know how the food they buy is produced and to be informed about the realities behind intensive animal farming, even if they are unpleasant. With greater awareness, the public can demand transparency and drive food companies to adopt more responsible and sustainable practices that respect both animals and people.
“This campaign is about truth and transformation,” said Andreea Roseti, Country Director for Humane World for Animals in Romania. “We want to inform the public about the conditions animals endure in factory farms and show them that it is up to them to make responsible choices and actions that support a more ethical food system. Maybe the information we share with the public is difficult and sad, but we cannot ignore the reality. People can participate in mobilizing food companies to increase animal welfare by demanding better conditions for animals in their supply chains.”
What can consumers do to improve the lives of farmed animals?
· Make informed decisions when buying eggs or meat by choosing products from companies that prioritize animal welfare. They should check the websites or labels for clear information about the standards applied.
· To support companies that adopt better practices for animals, such as those that adhere to the standards of the European Commitment for Chickens or cage-free farms, and to ask in shops and restaurants about the provenance of products.
· Support initiatives that promote higher animal welfare standards and demand transparency from the companies they buy from.
· To sign the commitment to support the welfare of farm animals.
As consumers become more interested and informed about the living conditions of farm animals, their choices can influence the entire food industry. Therefore, Romanian companies have the opportunity to set an example. More than 2,000 companies globally have already committed to purchasing only eggs from cage-free chickens or meat from pigs raised in extensive systems. Romanian businesses can join this effort by adopting improvements and adapting initiatives such as the European Chicken Commitment, which provides scientific recommendations for food businesses to improve chicken welfare.
“Producers will prioritize animal welfare when consumers and companies in the food system demand it,” added Roseti. “By making informed decisions, each of us can help protect farm animals from the most abusive practices.”
The campaign also aims to answer questions about the economic impact of higher welfare standards. If the animals had more space or time to grow, this may lead to a slight increase in production costs, but the difference in cost becomes marginal once it reaches the consumer, as the costs are diluted by processing, transport and commercial additions.
According to a study carried out in 2023 by Novel Research, 80% of Romanians are willing to pay up to 10% more for products from systems with higher welfare, and 69% believe that farm animals deserve better protection, according to Eurobarometer 2023.
Humane World for Animals is open to collaboration with policy makers, corporations and producers to provide access to the science, tools and management practices needed to raise the level of animal welfare. This campaign is part of a larger effort to end the cruelest practices in factory farms and promote a future where care and sustainability go hand in hand.
Facts about farm animals in Romania
· 4.8 million hens raised for egg production spend their entire “productive life” in cages that give each bird as much space as an A4 sheet of paper. Even in these so-called “enriched” batteries, important natural behaviors such as walking, perching, and spreading wings are severely restricted.
· More than 300.8 million chickens are slaughtered every year, after a life spent in industrial environments devoid of any stimulation, crammed together, without regard for their sensitive nature. They reach slaughter weight in less than six weeks, a rapid growth rate that causes them pain and mobility problems. In most flocks, by the time they approach slaughter weight, there are birds that become so crippled that they cannot reach feed and water.
· In intensive rearing systems, pigs are kept in extremely small spaces. Pregnant sows on industrial farms are often kept in metal gestation stalls so narrow that they cannot turn around and remain captive there for up to a month. Lack of space affects the ability of pigs to move, explore, interact and even lie down comfortably.
About Humane World for Animals
Together, we address the root causes of animal cruelty and animal suffering to achieve long-term change. With millions of supporters and activities in more than 50 countries, Humane World for Animals – formerly Humane Society International – addresses the most deeply rooted forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As one of the strongest voices in animal protection, we want to end the most cruel practices, help animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. We do everything with empathy and openness, for global impact and making the vision behind our name a reality: a more humane world. humaneworld.org
