A number of recent projects have studied the way livestock farmers perceive animals and animal welfare. Farmers share certain ideas: animals play a central role in their profession; their relationship with animals is professional; observation is an essential part of their work. However, these studies have also highlighted that the way farmers perceive livestock farming, animals and practices varies widely in terms of emotional attachment to the animals, their ethical view of the profession, the perception of the animals' needs, and the definition of animal welfare. This diversity depends on the farmer's background, on the type of animals kept and on the quality scheme in which the farmer might be involved. The results of these projects have opened up new perspectives in research and development in animal rearing, leading to the creation of diagnostic and advisory tools, and the organisation of training courses for farmers and agricultural technicians.