Animal Welfare and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, food supply chain operators have proposed a consumption model more respectful of the environment and society. The new quality requirements included by operators in the supply chain had the aim to favor human inclusion in the natural contest and make explicit to consumers the role of sustainability in the agrofood sector, looking for a new balance between the three dimensions of sustainability, i.e., social, economic, and environmental. Therefore, there was the need to review both the production models—which feed the consumption of products that are no longer sustainable—and the consumption models—which condition the dynamics that leads to the creation of products. In this context, animal welfare and associated tools are in strong connection with the food supply chain and related stakeholders. Indeed, their relationship responds to both economic–environmental and ethical–social issues and influences the policies for strengthening the achievement of sustainable development objectives. Currently, animal welfare is a topic of interest for consumers that are looking for products with information about farming activities and quality of animal life. Therefore, institutions and companies are looking for solutions to reduce negative externalities emerging from it.

Starting from these considerations, this Special Issue aims to receive contributions (1) on the development of strategies to enhance awareness about products of animal origin in the food sector; (2) on the improvement and creation of new certification schemes and production methods more respectful of the environment and the animal welfare, and (3) on the evolution of philosophical–deontological principles that consider animal welfare as an element of safeguarding for the territory and the sustainability of food. Therefore, theoretical and empirical contributions and reviews dedicated to animal welfare concerns are welcome.

Dr. Alessandro Bonadonna
Dr. Muslima Zahan
Mr. Luigi Bollani
Dr. Edyta Gheribi
Mr. Giovanni Peira
Guest Editors

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• Food supply chain
• Animal Welfare
• Food Sustainability
• sustainable development