PI: Wanyi Zeng

Date Awarded: October 2021 (FSRF 2021-1-010)

Summary (abridged from final report) :

This basic landscape overview aimed to identify the scale of industrial farming, common farm practices, legislative regulations, the role of trade, implementation standards, attitudes towards farmed animal welfare and the key stakeholders that influence industrial animal agriculture. The focus was on Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (SEA-6)

 Of the billions of land animals that are produced in this region, broiler chickens are the most farmed, followed by layer hens, ducks and pigs.  Malaysia and Thailand lead the region in live animal exports, indicating their advanced level of agricultural development. In terms of live animal imports, Indonesia serves as the primary destination for animals from Australia.

In most cases, the laws use general terms, with no country explicitly recognising animal sentience. The Philippines stands out as the country with the most specific laws, as the Administrative Orders outline requirements for air quality and stocking density. Enforcement policies are not mentioned in the legislation, except for Malaysia. Another key issue is the lack of uniformity across countries, leading to varying levels of animal welfare standards.  

Most countries have followed a reactive strategy to combat these diseases, resulting in the culling of millions of animals over the years. The emergence and spread of diseases such as avian influenza, Nipah virus, and others highlight the need for robust surveillance, early detection, and rapid response mechanisms. Furthermore, the widespread use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture contributes to the development of AMR, posing threats to both animal and human health.

While many companies have made public commitments for higher animal welfare, such as pledging to source cage-free eggs for their products, obtaining information on how their businesses operate proved challenging. There is a need for a more systematic way of tracking the commitments and for services that can support producers and companies to meet these higher welfare standards.

Findings from public surveys indicate that consumers in the region are highly aware of the impact their choices have on health and the environment. They are also willing to switch to plant-based alternatives if they are healthier and more environmentally sustainable. Animal welfare was cited by up to 50% of consumers in this survey as a reason to consider plant-based alternatives

Further Information: The full report is available here.