ABSTRACT
Compassion in World Farming was founded on the basis of respect for the sentience of the animals and the life of the land. This chapter adheres strictly to these principles: it identifies major concerns, explores the evidence relating to these concerns and suggests ways in which we, who care about farm animals and the land but depend on farmers for our food, can assist the farmers, who care for these things, to farm as efficiently, sustainably and humanely as possible. It examines some of the main criticisms of animal farming today, accepts that all contain a great deal of truth, gives examples of where they fall short of the whole truth and explores ways to address these concerns for the good of the people, animals both domestic and wild and the living environment. It gives special attention to approaches to food production from cattle and sheep reared as far as possible on pasture within ecosystems conducive to environmental diversity, wildlife and the sustainable management of soil and water. It is self-evident that this approach cannot sustain current levels of meat and milk production nor be sustainable unless supported from the public purse in proportion to its contribution to the public good: but all this has to be a good thing for our health and that of the living environment.
