Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

As global meat consumption increases, animal welfare concerns and food waste issues have gained significant attention. On-Farm Slaughter and On-Farm Emergency Slaughter offer potential solutions by reducing stress on animals and minimizing food waste, particularly in cases where animals are unfit for transport but still suitable for human consumption. This study takes on a mixed methods approach and examines what factors influencing Swedish dairy farmers' decisions to adopt OFS and OFES, along with different scenario calculations to investigate broader impacts and potential economic incentives. The study indicates that OFS could be economically beneficial for farmers, but barriers such as limited licensed abattoirs, consumer perceptions, and regulatory concerns hinder its wider adoption. Additionally, farmers' decisions are shaped by a combination of economic and ethical factors, rather than being driven solely by financial considerations.