Animal welfare
This theme deals with the interaction between animals and their environments, and with the impact this has on animals. Keeping livestock has ethical challenges, for example animal welfare, or the ethical issues of exploiting animals for our own benefit.
Traditionally, livestock welfare focused on negative aspects, those aspects unpleasant for animals. Recently, a novel approach looks into animal emotions and positive welfare aspects. The use of sensors and advanced statistical tools help to identify and design farming practices that improve animal welfare.
Research themes
Livelihood
We study the social and economic aspects of animal production, in tropical countries and in Europe. Our work focuses on how livestock can help to adapt farms and food systems to climate change.
Animal welfare
This theme deals with the interaction between animals and their environments, and with the impact this has on animals. Keeping livestock has ethical challenges, for example animal welfare, or the ethical issues of exploiting animals for our own benefit.
Environment
Livestock contributes to climate change and pollutes water and air, because of emissions from feed production and manure, and because of enteric fermentation in the gut, which creates methane gas. Livestock is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases.
Follow us on social media
Stay up-to-date and learn more through our social channel.