A research group led by Researcher Hiromi Kato Research Faculty of Agriculture (currently the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization) and Associate Professor Yoshiharu Shimizuike has investigated the effects of introducing animal welfare (AW)* into an egg-laying hens production system. We have clarified the multifaceted effects of

As a result of the research, it was estimated that production costs and retail prices would increase by taking AW into consideration in the layer production system. In addition, the economic burden on farmers, an increase in the number of workers and hours, and securing farm area were also identified as challenges for implementation. In the future, it will be important for society as a whole to stimulate discussion on the introduction of various production systems based on the obtained results, deepen consumer understanding, and obtain consensus on social policy decisions. Masu.

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*Animal Welfare (AW)
It is defined in the recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), an intergovernmental organization that aims to improve animal health around the world, as "the physical and mental condition of animals associated with the environment in which they live and die." Masu. It is important to reduce stress and disease in livestock by raising them in a comfortable environment, which is believed to lead to improved productivity and the production of safe livestock products. However, the spread of livestock feeding management based on the concept of animal welfare is progressing.

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