How does SWAP measure on-farm swine welfare?
There is no scientific consensus about the ‘ideal’ tool to measure animal welfare. However, it is generally accepted that three indicators should be measured concurrently to provide an accurate assessment of welfare: physiology (hormones and immune response), behavior, and performance and health. Using one of these indicators alone to evaluate welfare may provide a misleading assessment. SWAP will measure all three indicators using an objective on-farm review of the herd’s records, the animals, and the conditions of the facilities.
