Economic evaluation of measures to increase animal welfare using the "Initiative Tierwohl" initiative in pig tattening as an example

The subject of this article is the analysis of the economic implications of animal welfare measures on pig farmers participating in the German "Initiative Tierwohl" initiative based on scientific literature. Above all, the additional costs resulting from the implementation of animal welfare measures and the remuneration of these measures are decisive. The article provides a systematic compilation of existing studies in a significant area of research. It has been found that based on the average incremental cost, as determined by the individual authors' cost estimates, the bonuses of the current initiative's criteria do not provide a positive cost compensation. This applies regardless of which combination of measures is selected. The results also show that the cost effect is multifactorial, which makes it difficult to set the appropriate rates of remuneration. It turns out that an analysis at farm level is crucial and at the same time inevitable for farmers to be able to decide whether participating in the "Initiative Tierwohl" initiative is economically viable.