Cognitive bias testing as a practical farm welfare indicator is advancing from research tool to potential commercial audit metric for assessing affective states across pig populations.
The translation of cognitive bias testing from research laboratories to practical farm welfare auditing represents a significant advance in our ability to objectively assess positive welfare states at the farm level. Population-level testing that produces farm-specific cognitive bias profiles enables comparison between farms and identification of operations where chronic negative affective states are prevalent. The use of this evidence in legal proceedings reflects its scientific credibility as an indicator of genuine subjective welfare states rather than simply behavioral indicators that can be masked or managed through short-term environmental manipulation. Regulatory bodies and certification schemes are increasingly interested in incorporating positive welfare indicators alongside traditional negative welfare metrics.