The calculation of Welfare Quality® scores often uses a spline function. Since the Assessment Protocols were first published, it has become clear that the parameters of those functions were not provided with sufficient detail. This has been corrected in the cattle protocols. For those wishing to calculate scores for pigs and poultry, please use the parameters provided in the Excel file “Spline Functions” and described in the Word document “Upgraded Spline Functions”.  Alternatively, you may use our web service WAFA to calculate scores.

The Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocols were designed to be modified and upgraded in response to advances in technical and scientific knowledge. Any scientist can contribute to the improvement of the protocols by proposing new measures for Welfare Quality® criteria that provide a better balance between validity and feasibility. Each proposal will be reviewed by the Welfare Quality Network Working Group responsible for upgrading protocols. Constructive proposals are welcome and can be submitted through the website using the pre-designed template.

Qualifications
To maintain the high standards set by the Welfare Quality Network, an examination process has been developed to determine and certify the competence of candidates wishing to assess animal welfare according to the requirements of the Welfare Quality® protocols. The process is described in the PDF document “Qualifications”.