The organization was founded in 1967 by British dairy farmer, Peter Roberts, who became horrified by the development of modern industrial farming.

With the UK recovering from two World Wars, factory farming seemed to many the ideal way of feeding the population cheaply and efficiently. In reality, it has proved to be the single greatest cause of animal cruelty. It has caused large scale damage to the environment and poses a grave and present danger to human health.

Factory farming causes immense animal suffering and drives the world's food resources, environment and wildlife to the ground. But together we can pioneer abundant, sustainable food that is free from animal cruelty - now and for generations to come.

  • Our vision is a world where animals are treated with compassion and respect
  • Our mission is to end factory farming.
  • Our essence is that farm animals should not, and need not, suffer.

CIWF believes that everyone has the right to healthy food that doesn’t involve cruelty, doesn’t cause suffering and doesn’t destroy our planet.

CIWF is now a fast-growing and influential worldwide movement present at many key decision-making forums from the United Nations to the World Trade Organisation.

By working in partnership with inspirational supporters, progressive policy makers and visionary companies, the organization is mobilising a movement for far reaching change in our farming that can feed the world and will improve the quality of life for billions of animals worldwide.

CIWF has selected CIWF as its Animal Welfare cause, pledging support to collaboratively address animal welfare issues in the apparel industry.