The economic standing of animals

This article considers how cost-benefit analyses of farm animal policy would be altered if animal interests were to be directly included in the computations. Currently, animals lack standing, their preferences for improved living conditions are not considered in the calculation of costs or benefits of farm policies. While animal welfare receives consideration to the extent that humans value it, human preferences are not fully revealed due to incomplete information and the public good nature of animal welfare. Uncertainty associated with the proper role of farm animal standing in cost-benefit analysis validates the avoidance of policies that would be undesirable if animals possessed standing in cost-benefit analyses.