Policy

Third-Party Livestock Welfare Auditing

Independent welfare auditing of farms provides credible assurance that welfare standards are being met.

Key Facts

Industry self-assessment schemes provide limited welfare assurance without independent verification
Third-party audit schemes such as RSPCA Assured conduct unannounced inspections
CCTV footage review is increasingly used as an audit tool in slaughterhouses
Audit quality varies enormously between certification bodies
Consumer trust in welfare claims is significantly higher when backed by independent audit

Welfare Considerations

Credible welfare improvement depends on robust independent auditing. Industry self-policing has consistently failed to prevent welfare abuses. Third-party audit systems with unannounced inspections, qualified auditors, and transparent reporting are the foundation of meaningful welfare certification.

What You Can Do

Choose welfare-certified products and research the strength of audit processes behind certifications
Support campaigns for mandatory third-party auditing of intensive farms
Advocate for public reporting of welfare audit outcomes
Ask producers and retailers about the audit standards behind their welfare claims