Animal welfare science provides the evidence base for policy decisions affecting billions of animals, and its application to policy is essential for welfare-effective regulation.
Effective animal welfare policy requires accurate evidence about what animals can experience, what conditions matter for their wellbeing, and what interventions are most cost-effective. Evidence-based policy ensures regulation addresses genuine welfare priorities rather than intuitive but potentially ineffective measures. Supporting welfare science through research funding, academic training, and science-policy interface improves outcomes for billions of animals affected by legislation and industry standards.