Development and validation of a tool using the COM-B model of behaviour change and Theoretical Domains Framework to assess farmers’ mindsets in relation to animal welfare, environmental conservation, and their subjective wellbeing.

The demand for animal-sourced foods (ASFs) is rising, owing to a growing global population and increased per-capita consumption worldwide. The subsequent intensification of ASF production can cause negative impacts on animal welfare, and the environment. Increasing productivity has also failed to provide global food security. Therefore, there is a need to transform future food systems, and farmers are key contributors to this transition due to their direct decision-making powers. However, for efforts to recruit farmers in food systems transformation to be both ethical and effective, it is necessary to understand any potential barriers farmers face in changing their production practices. We developed and validated a tool that uses the COM-B model of behaviour change and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to assess farmer mindsets in relation to animal welfare and environmental conservation, and their wellbeing: the three interrelated components of the One Welfare framework. Results of our mapping work showed the importance of validating any mappings of qualitative statements from survey or interview data against theoretical models, as erroneous mappings may lead to flawed intervention design, with subsequentially suboptimal impacts. We provide guidelines for other researchers to use this tool, promoting inter- and trans-disciplinary collaboration as we work together towards ethical, sustainable, and successful food systems transformation.

The demand for animal-sourced foods (ASFs) is rising, owing to a growing global population and increased per-capita consumption worldwide. The subsequent intensification of ASF production can cause negative impacts on animal welfare, and the environment. Increasing productivity has also failed to provide global food security. Therefore, there is a need to transform future food systems, and farmers are key contributors to this transition due to their direct decision-making powers. However, for efforts to recruit farmers in food systems transformation to be both ethical and effective, it is necessary to understand any potential barriers farmers face in changing their production practices. We developed and validated a tool that uses the COM-B model of behaviour change and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to assess farmer mindsets in relation to animal welfare and environmental conservation, and their wellbeing: the three interrelated components of the One Welfare framework. Results of our mapping work showed the importance of validating any mappings of qualitative statements from survey or interview data against theoretical models, as erroneous mappings may lead to flawed intervention design, with subsequentially suboptimal impacts. We provide guidelines for other researchers to use this tool, promoting inter- and trans-disciplinary collaboration as we work together towards ethical, sustainable, and successful food systems transformation.