Enhancing sheep welfare through citrus essential oil in diet: Identification of a development strategy fostering...

Climate change, with the increase in ambient temperatures and heat waves, is worsening the health and welfare of sheep. International policies are promoting the use of natural additives to sustain livestock health and welfare. Citrus essential oils (CEO), bioactive plant extracts, have several beneficial effects on livestock, in particular anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated ex ante the possible strategies for the development of CEO in sheep breeding. A Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats-Strategic Orientation round (SWOT-SOr) approach was used, and 2 emerging strategies were identified, namely the "attack" and "face the crisis" strategies. This study allowed the identification of desirable actions to spread the use of CEO in the sheep sector. Policy implications deriving from the results are also provided.