Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare
Is there a difference? More importantly, do we, as a nation understand what that difference is?
Definitions
Animal welfare, according to the American Veterinary Medical association refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal recieves is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment. Protecting an animal's welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs. There are many different definitions and opinions behind the definition of Animal Rights but essentially it is this: The belief that animals belong to live free from use in medial research, hunting, and any other servies to humans.
Numbers to know
If you are reading this, and are wondering why the definitions hold such signifance then hopefully the graph provided below will help. 
The population is over 7 billion (~7.1 billion as of December 2013). This number is rapidly incresing and the world population is heading for just over 9 billion by 2050 (~9.3 billion). Some estimates put the world population at over 10 billion by 2100. Those are a lot of hungry bellies to feed. Hopefully one can see now why the differences and definitions of Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare should be thought about. How are we going to feed all of these new people on the same amount of land?
The Issue
The biggest issue when it comes to animal welfare is that most Americans live in urban or suburban communities, where they have little contact with wildlife or farms, and therefore often rely on what they see on television, in newspapers, and on the Internet for their information about Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Issues. Without direct interaction with animals, it is easy to develop misguided attitudes because, with the exception of our pets, we lack firsthand experience. That has created a divide between human beings which resulted in Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Activists.
Google, friend or foe?
If you were to google "Factory Farming" you will find a wide range of graphic photos. Some of which I have included below.
Now lets take a look at google images for "Family Farming"
The internet can be a tool but is can also misinform and misguide the population. Another major factor when it comes to Animal Welfare is that we as humans have warped conceptions of pain and suffering. Many people will look at a pig in a pen and conclude that because it doesn't have room to roam freely, it must be suffering, because after all, a human would not want to be held in a small cage. This argument assumes that pigs think and feel in the same way that human beings do. Researchers at the Center for Food and Animal Productivity and Well-being at Purdue Univeristy have suggested that sows may be perfectly content in a small, confinded space while they are nursing their piglets and that there is no convincing evidence that such quarters cause the pigs any psychological distress.
Food for thought
Something else to keep in mind when thinking about Animal Agriculture in the United States is that 97 percent of the 2.1 million farms are family-owned operations. There is also discussion about how slaughter is inhumane to the animal. The argument is also invalid seeing that housing, care and slaughter of animals for meat MUST be done humanely for various reasons. Not only is this the farmers income but stressed or brusied animals can be deemed unfit for market. For example, stress in pigs reults in PSE - pale, soft, exudative pork that is not fit for human consumption. Mishandled cattle can result in DFD - dark, firm, dry meat.
The Heart or The Mind?
There is a lot of science that goes into what has been the best housing system to have, the proper ventilation and to have the proper disposal of waste and the proper sanitation requirments for each of these animals. When you and I look at these animals we can't just simply apply our human feelinig and say "Oh, I don't know if I'd like to live like that". Well, you know, many of these animals prefer to live in groups, and live in flocks. Having more space is not necessarily good, and thats where it's important that we look at what the science is... We have to apply science and not emotion.
Animal Welfare in Europe
With the support and close co-operation of the Member States, the European Commission has been promoting animal welfare for over 40 years gradually improving the lives of farm animals. An important step in 1998 was Council Directive on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes which gave general rules for the protection of animals of all species kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or for other farming purposes, including fish, reptiles or amphibians. These rules are based on the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes and they reflect the so-called 'Five Freedoms':
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom to express normal behaviour
Freedom from fear and distress
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom to express normal behaviour
Freedom from fear and distress
International Issues
In today’s globalised food marketplace, European farmers and food producers face competition from many countries, some of which have lower animal welfare standards than those applied in the EU. This places EU farmers and producers at a commercial disadvantage, because they must invest more money in their businesses to meet the EU’s stricter rules.To help establish a level playing field and fairness for European companies and exporters, the EU includes animal welfare issues in trade agreements and organises major international events to promote its view on animal welfare.
Sources
Hile,
Kevin. Animal Rights. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2004. Print.
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