UK: Real Welfare update

'Real Welfare' audits are going to be incorporated into the assurance scheme, where pigs, whether indoors or outdoors, and on straw or slats, will be given a happiness score by vets. The audits will give pig-keepers objective data with which to demonstrate the welfare credentials of their buildings and husbandry.

A consultation on how Real Welfare audits can be included in Red Tractor assurance is likely to be announced in October, with a view to Real Welfare being included in Red Tractor assurance from next April. Real Welfare may make Red Tractor audits longer and more costly. It is hoped any cost to producers will be partly offset by improved productivity.

Real Welfare indicators

Vets carrying out Real Welfare audits will score pigs on assured farms for:

• Lameness
• Hospitalisation
• Enrichment
• And two iceberg indicators — tail and body lesions