Background Our cat at home, the horse at the riding school, the farm animals we come across in the countryside or the animals we see at the zoo or the circus. Many of them are of great importance to us as humans. We need animals to get food, clothing and transportation. Other animals are important to us for social reasons. The problem is that all animals are not treated well.
Animals have needs of their own.
The needs of the animals may come into conflict with the demand for efficiency and productivity in livestock breeding and animal husbandry. Today we are aware that it is not in our interest to treat animals badly. All human activities that involve the use of animals must promote animal welfare. Treating animals well throughout their lives is an ethical issue. In May 2001, there will be a conference in Sweden on animal welfare and animal rights.