Why is animal welfare important for farm productivity? It leads to healthier animals and better quality food products It increases the use of antibiotics in farming It reduces the need for veterinary care It allows for higher density animal housing

The correct answer is: **It leads to healthier animals and better quality food products.**<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **Healthier Animals:** Animals that are well-cared for and experience less stress are generally healthier. This means they are less susceptible to diseases and injuries, leading to lower mortality rates and reduced need for costly treatments.<br /><br />* **Better Quality Food Products:** Healthy animals produce better quality products. For example, less stressed livestock can yield higher quality meat and milk. Hens that are well-cared for produce more and better quality eggs.<br /><br />The other options are incorrect:<br /><br />* **It increases the use of antibiotics in farming:** Good animal welfare practices actually *reduce* the need for antibiotics. Healthy animals are less likely to get sick in the first place. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health concern.<br /><br />* **It reduces the need for veterinary care:** While preventative care is a part of good animal welfare, it doesn't eliminate the need for veterinary care altogether. Animals can still get sick or injured and require professional treatment. Good welfare practices aim to *minimize* the instances where veterinary intervention is necessary.<br /><br />* **It allows for higher density animal housing:** High-density housing is often associated with *poor* animal welfare. Overcrowding can lead to stress, disease outbreaks, and aggression among animals. Good animal welfare generally promotes providing animals with adequate space and comfortable living conditions.<br />