The present paper focuses on evaluating the interobserver reliability of the 'Welfare Quality®
Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Growing Pigs'. The protocol for growing pigs mainly
consists of a Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), direct behaviour observations (BO)
carried out by instantaneous scan sampling and checks for different individual parameters
(IP), eg presence of tail biting, wounds and bursitis. Three trained observers collected the
data by performing 29 combined assessments, which were done at the same time and on …

Animal welfare has become an important subject of political and public discussion (Hobbs et
al., 2002; Fraser, 2009). However, the definition of what that term should comprise is very
subjective and the discussion is often characterised by a certain amount of emotionality
(Broom, 1988). That is the reason why there is not only a need for a clear definition, but also
an objective assessment of animal welfare (Webster, 2005). The invention of such a system
was the aim of the Welfare Quality® project, during which the 'Welfare Quality® Animal …