Why is it so difficult to recruit and retain food animal veterinarians in the United States? And how might this impact the future food supply? Food animal veterinarians in the United States safeguard livestock, poultry, and aquatic food animal health and welfare as well as food safety and quality along the entire “farm to fork” continuum. In doing so they help to ensure the financial sustainability of producers and global food security. Of particular importance is the role veterinarians play in preparation for and mitigation of emerging or transboundary (foreign animal) disease outbreaks which could have serious economic impacts on the entire U.S. economy as well as possible public health concerns regarding zoonosis and food security.

Conflicting values in society about animal use lead to ongoing debate about what constitutes a good life for farm animals. Applied ethicists take two broad approaches: one focuses on the consequences of using animals in particular ways, the other on the morality of that use regardless of consequences—reflected in "animal welfare" and "animal rights" perspectives. This task force report examines current issues in agricultural animal production, the origins of welfare concerns, major scientific advances since the 1997 CAST Task Force Report, and outstanding challenges and priority areas for future research, coordination, and outreach in agricultural animal welfare.