Open Data in Animal Welfare: Science, Policy, and Transparency

Overview of open data initiatives in animal welfare and their potential for improving outcomes.

Key Facts

Open welfare data enables benchmarking, research, and accountability
Slaughterhouse welfare data is collected but rarely published openly in most countries
Industry welfare audit data could be transformative if made publicly accessible
Open data platforms for farm animal welfare are emerging in research contexts
Welfare data sharing among certification bodies would improve collective learning

Welfare Considerations

Open data has transformative potential for animal welfare by enabling benchmarking, research, and accountability. Currently, much welfare monitoring data collected by industry, government, and certification bodies is not publicly accessible. Open data initiatives that enable researchers, advocates, and policymakers to access and analyse welfare information could dramatically accelerate progress. Advocating for mandatory open welfare data reporting is a leverage point for systemic change.

What You Can Do

Support open data initiatives in animal welfare research and monitoring
Advocate for mandatory public reporting of welfare audit and slaughterhouse data
Engage with researchers developing open welfare data platforms and benchmarking tools