Lifetime Animal Wellbeing Index (LAWI) – Scope and Governance Project
Did you know a wellbeing assurance program could improve animal wellbeing, with economic, social and environmental benefits?
| Project start date: | 27 February 2022 |
| Project end date: | 28 August 2022 |
| Publication date: | 06 December 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
The red meat industry is under increasing pressure to demonstrate strong commitments to animal welfare, however the assessment of wellbeing over an animal’s entire lifetime, and the delivery to consumers of that information is complex. It requires a compelling business case that defines the scope, risk mitigation, delivery mechanisms, data platforms and governance of the program. As a first step, this project scoped a proposed framework based on existing welfare frameworks and stakeholder needs. This project also established a framework for a cost-benefit analysis, and proposed principles for database requirements and governance.
Objectives
The objective of this project was to scope out the design for an approach to describe lifetime animal wellbeing in the red meat industries. This necessitated understanding stakeholder needs, use cases, existing animal welfare frameworks, existing data sources, the knowledge gaps and R&D required, and a value proposition.
Key findings
The proposed industry wellbeing assurance program can be established using animal measures routinely collected by industry but brought together and reported on following the development of key enabling technologies. Industry familiarity with the measures should promote early adoption. While phased development enables the optimisation of past and future investments by utilising measures and systems already in operation but providing scope for enhancement as new and credible measures are validated. Successful delivery would enable both current and bespoke welfare/wellbeing assurance schemes providing the opportunity to assure a minimum standard but also allow product differentiation when required. To achieve this in practice will be highly challenging and complex.
Benefits to industry
A wellbeing assurance program has the potential to improve wellbeing outcomes for animals, with secondary economic, social and environmental benefits.
MLA action
MLA will continue to explore options for demonstrating the Australian red meat industry's commitment to animal wellbeing, the monitoring of wellbeing over the lifetime of the animal, and delivery mechanisms to report that information to consumers.
Future research
The exploration of the current red meat supply landscape, with respect to welfare assurance schemes and stakeholder needs, has provided principles to guide the concept for design and implementation of a wellbeing assurance program. The existence of knowledge gaps and missing detail is acknowledged, but these should not prevent initiation and design of the program. Indeed, these gaps should become the focus of a supporting research and development plan. The development and implementation of the proposed program should be phased to optimise existing and future investments and increase adoption. The proposed wellbeing assurance program is applicable to both sheep and cattle.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Michael Laurence |
