The application (by trained assessors) of Welfare Quality® assessment systems in livestock production will generate data from individual farms all over Europe (and beyond). The Network is available to support the correct handling of data and its processing into integrated welfare assessment scores. This support includes, for instance:

• Provision of a template for entering data in an appropriate format;

• Checking data entries;

• Creation of specific user databases and access rights (enabling users to access their data and scores);

• Calculation of overall welfare scores;

• Feedback of the results in Excel files;

• Simulation of improvements;

• Etc.

To benefit from these services, please visit WAFA.

The large amounts of data (results from measures and calculated scores) from the above activities will be carefully stored to ensure the safe and steady accumulation of knowledge. Data collected at several locations and at various intervals can subsequently be used (with appropriate protection of private and commercial interests) to:

• Continue to inform stakeholders (e.g., on the progress made by a certain population of farms/certain slaughterhouses, etc.);

• Help farmers or slaughterhouse managers to track their progress and compare their status with industry averages (i.e. benchmarking); and

• Further analyse the links between welfare problems and identify their associated risk factors.