Assessment approach aims to improve animal welfare in low- and middle-income countries. A welfare assessment tool aims to support smallholder pig farming in low- and middle-income countries and address a gap in animal welfare research. A pilot study in Vietnam showed that the newly developed system is practical for real-world smallholder farms, enabling welfare to be assessed under local conditions. The framework seeks to meet a need to assess welfare in smallholder farming, which is challenging with existing tools that were developed for intensive commercial production in high-income countries. The tool, developed by an international team of scientists, led by the University of Sydney and including experts from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Animal Welfare Centre, creates a method for welfare assessments that reflect local farming, supporting livelihoods and informing future policy. This work aligns with growing international recognition of the importance of animal welfare within sustainable livestock systems, including discussions surrounding the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's emerging Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation. Tailored approach The research aims to benefit smallholder pig farms, which provide food and income for millions of families across Asia, Africa and other low- and middle-income regions. Unlike commercial systems, farms often keep only a handful of animals, with management practices shaped by available resources and cultural traditions, the research team explains. Researchers reviewed 16 existing pig welfare assessment protocols, and found limitations in how they could be applied to smallholder systems. The team then developed a framework combining a farmer questionnaire with animal-based observations that can be adapted to local settings, allowing farm owners to easily identify welfare concerns. The framework identifies five critical welfare indicators that could require immediate attention: access to food and water, body condition, space allowance, and negative social behaviour. This tool is designed to provide a practical starting point for researchers, governments and farming organisations to measure welfare consistently while adapting assessments to local conditions. Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio, project leader, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney Pilot trial The team piloted the framework on 110 smallholder pig farms across northern Vietnam, assessing the welfare of sows, piglets and growing pigs. The study showed that the framework is practical to use in real-world smallholder farming systems, demonstrating that welfare can be assessed using measures tailored to local conditions. Although most pigs showed good welfare across many indicators, researchers found that restricted access to drinking water and poor body condition were common concerns. The findings suggest that relatively simple, low-cost interventions could substantially improve pig welfare while supporting productivity on smallholder farms. The researchers emphasise that the protocol is not intended to be a universal solution. Instead, it provides a framework that can be refined and validated in different countries using local knowledge and expertise. The welfare assessment protocol and the pilot study were published in Tropical Animal Health and Production, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Sydney, International Livestock Research Institute and the National Institute of Animal Science, Vietnam. This framework provides a foundation that researchers and organisations can adapt to their own contexts while still using evidence-based welfare measures." By helping farmers and researchers measure welfare more consistently, the framework could support future improvements in animal health, food security and sustainable livestock production on farm and into government policy. Dr Rebecca Doyle, Animal Welfare Centre Director Related links Research publication – welfare assessment protocol Research publication – pilot trial in Vietnam Tags Animal Welfare Centre News Roslin Vet School This article was published on Tuesday 8 September 2026
