Setting the scene: the continued drive to improve organic animal farming

Abstract

All the elements of current global development – urbaniszation, industrialization, population growth, food insecurity, environmental degradation, climate change and other universal issues – call for more equitable and balanced agricultural systems, including new and innovative ways of keeping and integrating animals into our food production systems. This chapter introduces the chapters in this book, each of which addresses some of the key issues in organic animal farming and the continued drive to improve it, focusing on key challenges such as climate change and the role of smallholders. The chapter highlights important points made in the book ‘Improving organic animal farming’, addressing both offers an overview of organic farming of key farm animal species as well as species less frequently discussed until now, such as fish and bees. Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future research trends in this area.