Ethics and Animal Welfare in Organic animal husbandry

Farm animals make important contributions to organic farming systems. This study deals with the values and aims of organic farming in relation to animal welfare concerns. The organic standards and other publications from the organic movement are analysed to define basic values. These are related to ethical theory, and eccentric ethics is suggested as an ethical position for organic farming. It is concluded that although the main concern is to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly farming systems, animal welfare is an important aim in organic farming. Two studies have been made of Swedish organic livestock farmers to examine their values and beliefs about animal husbandry and animal welfare. The first study comprised 15 qualitative in-depth interviews. The second study was a quantitative questionnaire study. Where answers were analyzed using principal component analysis (exploratory factor analysis). Both studies showed that the eccentric position can be identified among Swedish organic livestock farmers in their perception of animal welfare.