On April 3rd, 2025, the BrightSpace project convened an online Expert Consultation dedicated to the Animal Welfare indicator domain — an area that holds a central and interconnected role in shaping a Safe and Just Operating Space in Agriculture.
The session brought together 12 international experts from Europe and South America with diverse scientific backgrounds in animal welfare, animal behavior, animal nutrition, ethology, and veterinary medicine. Over the course of two hours, the consultation created space for constructive dialogue, exchange of perspectives, and collaborative exploration of effective welfare indicators..
Exploring Concepts of Animal Welfare
The discussion began by unpacking varying interpretations of animal welfare — ranging from the assurance of good health and biological functioning, to frameworks that emphasize positive and negative experiences, and those that prioritize animals’ ability to live ideally natural lives. While opinions varied and the topic remains inherently complex, the consultation surfaced valuable insights that will inform the development of BrightSpace indicators.
Farming Practices as Proxies
Experts then turned to the role of farming practices as proxies for animal welfare. Participants emphasized the potential of “low-hanging fruit” — general improvements that benefit most animals — as useful, yet incomplete without complementary, animal-based measures.
Interactive Indicator Mapping
The core of the session was an interactive whiteboard exercise to classify the most relevant and impactful welfare indicators across three major livestock groups — cattle, pigs, and chickens — and across three handling stages: husbandry, transport, and slaughter. The exchange highlighted both the challenges and the critical importance of a nuanced, multi-stage welfare assessment framework.
Looking Ahead
Despite the limited time, the consultation generated a wealth of input and practical recommendations for candidate indicators — now under further evaluation within the BrightSpace project.
We are immensely grateful to the highly engaged participants who contributed their expertise and who helped bridge the gap between disciplinary knowledge and the demands of agricultural economic modelling.
This consultation marks another important step toward building an integrated, science-based framework for a sustainable and humane agricultural future.
Source: Thünen
