Life worth living or healthy lives? Stakeholder views on biosecurity and animal welfare in EU organic, extensive and small-scale pig and poultry farming systems

Biosecurity is widely recognized as a cornerstone of disease prevention and animal health management. Organic, extensive and small-scale farming systems face several challenges related to biosecurity that are different to more conventional farming settings. This study investigates how farmers, veterinarians and advisors across six European countries view standard biosecurity measures, their effectiveness and their relationship with animal welfare in alternative farms. On the basis of survey data from 243 respondents, we found high awareness of biosecurity but significant concerns about the practicality and suitability of standardized measures in non-intensive settings. Alternative farmers prioritized natural behaviours and outdoor access, whereas veterinarians emphasized disease prevention, revealing different understandings of welfare–health interactions. Consistently, farmers attributed significantly greater importance to welfare dimensions related to natural living, freedom of movement and species-specific behaviours than veterinarians and advisors did. The respondents also expressed concerns about restrictive control measures, including bans on outdoor farming and compulsory culling, which they viewed as potentially undermining their values and the overall farming resilience. These findings highlight the need for policy frameworks that are both scientifically robust and adaptable to diverse farming realities.