THE WELFARE FOOTPRINT PROJECT

is a scientific effort to quantify animal welfare to inform practice, policy, investing and purchasing decisions. To this end, welfare impacts are quantified using a biologically meaningful, relatable and comparable metric, applicable across contexts, environments and species: time in affective states (negative or positive) of different intensities. The project brings together scientific evidence from multiple disciplines, rigorous analytical processes and transparency to inform decisions in any area involving the welfare of animals.

the method

OUR GOALS

To support informed funding, investment, purchasing & policy decisions.

To promote awareness about the welfare impacts of activities involving animals

To foster targeted research on animal health and welfare

To help integrate welfare into sustainability assessments and economic analyses.

Registration open for workshops

LEARN HOW TO ESTIMATE THE LOSS OF WELFARE EXPERIENCED BY ANIMALS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT OR PRODUCTION CONTEXT USING A COMPARATIVE AND BIOLOGICALLY MEANINGFUL METRIC: TIME IN PAIN OF DIFFERENT INTENSITIES.

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SEE ALL PROJECTS

Pain averted by implementing standards for salmon welfare

This project aims to estimate the impact of different standards on salmon welfare. These improvements include better water quality, transport and handling procedures, restrictions on fasting, management of stocking densities, and the use of effective stunning prior to slaughter [learn more].
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Impact of welfare reforms for pigs

We are quantifying the effect of several welfare reforms for pigs. Among others, these reforms include phasing out gestation crates for sows, eliminating surgical castration in male piglets, and implementing later weaning ages [learn more].

The Better Chicken Commitment

In this project we investigated the impact of the Better Chicken Commitment, a set of welfare standards for broiler chickens that address stocking densities, the use of slower growing breeds, improved environmental standards and pre-slaughter stunning methods [learn more]

Welfare impact of cage-free reforms

In this project we quantified the impact of reforms that aim to improve the welfare of egg-laying hens, specifically the transition to cage-free production systems. The results are available in the book Quantifying Pain in Laying Hens [learn more].