About Compassion in World Farming
Our vision is a world where farm animals are treated with compassion and respect and where cruel factory farming practices end.
Our mission is to advance the wellbeing of farm animals worldwide.
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) was established in 1967, in the United Kingdom (UK), by dairy farmer Peter Roberts.
Peter and his wife Anna had become increasingly concerned with the animal welfare issues connected to the new systems of intensive farming that began to take hold in the 1960s.
CIWF has now been campaigning for better farm animal welfare for over 40 years. We carry out hard hitting political lobbying, investigations that expose cruelty to farm animals and high profile campaigns designed to achieve better standards and happier lives for farmed animals everywhere.
Originally run from the Roberts' family house, CIWF has grown into an organisation with offices in Ireland, France and Holland and representatives in seven more countries, including South Africa and, since 2003, in Oceania.
From its UK Headquarters CIWF co-ordinates the European Coalition for Farm Animals (ECFA), a campaigning and lobbying group of 32 organisations in 25 European countries and Israel.
CIWF believes it is vital to campaign, lobby and educate at an international level and we are connected with an extensive family of over 150 like-minded organisations which reach to the four corners of the globe.
See our tremendous achievements bringing real change for farm animals.
CIWF is a member of the international Handle With Care (HWC) Coalition, led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), campaigning for an end to the long distance transportation of animals.
Research and Education
The basis of all our research and education work is the recognition of farm animals as sentient beings. Animals are capable of feeling pain and suffering, experiencing sensations and emotions. When farming provides them with the right environment and conditions they can enjoy their lives. We also work to raise awareness of the detrimental impact of intensive animal farming on the environment, on human health and security, and on scarce natural resources.
We produce information resources for the public, students and teachers, including referenced reports, factsheets and briefings.
In Australia, in 2007, we organised a threshold conference on humane education.
Compassion in World Farming is immensely grateful to Voiceless the fund for animals, who have contributed to the development of our educational programme in Australia since 2004.