Welfare Science

Welfare Science: Measuring Welfare at Population Level

Population-level welfare assessment methods allow comparison across farms, regions and over time, enabling evidence-based prioritisation of welfare interventions.

Key Facts

Welfare Quality protocol assesses farm animal welfare across 12 measures
World Animal Protection rates countries on animal welfare legislation and implementation
Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare ranks major food companies
Population welfare metrics allow before-after evaluation of policy interventions
Aggregate welfare measures can identify welfare hotspots requiring priority intervention

Welfare Considerations

Individual animal welfare assessment is essential but insufficient for systemic improvement. Population-level metrics enable policymakers to identify where welfare is worst and track whether interventions are working. Investment in welfare data infrastructure is a foundation for evidence-based welfare improvement at scale.

What You Can Do

Engage with national animal welfare statistics when available
Support organisations collecting and publishing population welfare data
Advocate for mandatory welfare reporting by farms and companies
Donate to welfare science organisations developing population assessment methods