Farm welfare auditing is a cornerstone of improving pig welfare at scale. This guide covers current audit frameworks, outcome-based measures, and the evidence behind effective auditing.
Farm welfare audits create accountability and drive improvement. When done well, auditing identifies problems early, incentivizes farmers to improve, and allows supply chains to make credible welfare claims. However, audit quality varies enormously. One-off snapshot visits, auditor bias, and checklist-only approaches all limit effectiveness.
Outcome-based measures — assessing injuries, disease, behavior, and body condition in the animals themselves — are more meaningful than purely resource-based measures (space, enrichment provision). Leading frameworks like Welfare Quality combine both, providing a comprehensive picture of pig experience on farm.
Continuous video monitoring, computer vision for lameness and tail lesion detection, and sensor-based behavioral monitoring are transforming welfare assessment. These technologies provide ongoing data rather than snapshot assessments, enabling rapid response to welfare deterioration. Integration with supply chain data systems allows retailers to monitor welfare trends across entire supplier networks.