May 22, 2023

 

Cambridge scientists develop system for comparing swine farming practices

 

Cambridge University researchers have devised a groundbreaking system for assessing animal welfare in swine farming, allowing for reliable comparisons across different farming methods, The Pig Site reported.

 

This significant development enables animal welfare to be considered alongside other farming impacts, providing valuable insights into identifying the most effective farming systems.

 

The advancement is crucial for enhancing animal welfare in livestock production, particularly as global meat demand rises and farming practices evolve, raising concerns about intensive and indoor systems' impact on animal welfare.

 

The implementation of animal welfare assessments could empower consumers to make more informed choices about their food preferences.

 

In the UK, various meat labelling schemes assure consumers that specific standards have been met. The research team utilized their novel system to evaluate how different labels performed in terms of animal welfare.

 

The findings revealed that farms producing pork products labeled as "woodland" scored highest in terms of swine welfare. They were followed by "organic" farms, then free-range, RSPCA assured, Red Tractor, and finally those lacking certification.

 

Dr Harriet Bartlett, first author of the study, said that they have shown that it is possible to reliably assess animal welfare on farms. This means decisions about which types of farm are better or worse for animal welfare can be based on proper calculations, rather than assumptions - as is currently the case.

 

Dr Bartlett, who conducted this research while affiliated with the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, now serves as a Research Associate in Sustainable Food Solutions at the University of Oxford.

 

Dr. Bartlett further highlighted the potential impact of this system, adding that animal welfare can now be included in overall assessments of farm sustainability alongside other measures like carbon emissions and biodiversity impacts.

 

Developing a comprehensive measurement of animal welfare has posed challenges due to disagreements on the most crucial factors to consider. For instance, determining whether a health problem outweighs a behavioural issue or establishing a satisfactory level of welfare has been complex.

 

The new system addresses this complexity by evaluating an animal's quality of life through a diverse range of welfare measurements, encompassing various welfare concerns. The results can be consolidated into a single score, facilitating comparisons between different farms.

 

This breakthrough will facilitate the exploration of trade-offs between animal welfare and other consumer concerns, such as the environmental impact of farming.

 

The research findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study received funding from the BBSRC, the Royal Society, MRC, and The Alborada Trust.

 

-      The Pig Site