Abstract/Summary

Executive summary Objective and aims 1. While the costs of delivering improvements in animal welfare are relatively straightforward to measure, the benefits that these bring are not well understood. One consequence is that it is often not possible to estimate the true value of investment in welfare improvements. The objective of this study is the enhancement of our ability to both measure welfare improvements and value the benefits delivered by actions intended to improve the welfare of different kept animals, especially farmed animals. 2. The aims of the project were to: (i) carry out a comprehensive literature review relevant to both animal welfare science and the economic valuation of benefits; (ii) carry out an assessment of the total potential consumer spend on animal welfare, including charitable giving; the development of a theoretical framework for the valuation of animal welfare benefits; and (iii) critically appraise the evaluation framework that was designed, clearly identifying the merits and limitations of the methodology.