Welfare science has moved beyond measuring suffering to also quantifying positive emotional states in farm animals, providing richer evidence for what constitutes a good life for animals in our care.
The positive welfare turn in animal science represents a philosophical shift toward asking not just 'are these animals suffering?' but 'are these animals flourishing?' Both questions matter for a complete welfare assessment. Pigs that play are not merely less stressed - they are experiencing something positive. Cows that groom each other are expressing social bonds. These states can be measured, and their absence in industrial systems reflects genuine welfare deficits beyond suffering metrics alone. Incorporating positive welfare indicators into assurance schemes and regulations raises the bar beyond minimum suffering standards.