Animal welfare indicators at the slaughterhouse (aWISH)

The aWISH (Animal Welfare Indicators at the Slaughterhouse) project is a Horizon Europe initiative that aims to transform animal welfare monitoring through automated, sensor-based assessments. Running from November 2022 to October 2026, the project involves 28 partners across 11 countries with a budget of €8 million. It seeks to develop and implement 70 novel animal-based welfare indicators for broilers and pigs—species that dominate the European livestock industry and face distinct challenges due to intensive production practices. By inte grating automatically collected data from farms, transport, and slaughterhouses, aWISH aims to enable rapid detection and response mechanisms to enhance animal welfare outcomes. Slaughterhouses provide a unique opportunity for large-scale welfare monitoring due to their centralised role in the production chain, handling vast numbers of animals and generating extensive data. The project focuses on key indicators for broilers and pigs throughout the production chain, from farm to slaughter, including stress vocalisations, bruises, skin lesions, fractures, organ health, footpad dermatitis, tail biting, and mortality rates. These measures enable ob jective welfare assessments that can inform management practices and policy decisions. The project structure comprises six work packages, including technology development, monitoring and improving animal welfare, socio-economic and environmental impact assessments, and communication and dissemination. Advanced sensor technologies are being deployed across six pilot sites in the Netherlands, Spain, France, Poland, Austria, and Serbia. Key innovations include AI-driven analysis of animal stress and handling, automated lesion detection, barn climate monitoring, and transport condition assessments. For example, STREMODO technology analyses stress vocalisations in pigs, while EBroilerTrack monitors broiler activity and heat stress during transport. Other systems, such as PigInspector and ChickenCheck, use imaging and algorithms to evaluate injuries, hock burns, and footpad dermatitis. By integrating data from on-farm conditions, transport, and slaughter, aWISH aims to create a comprehensive welfare monitoring system that enables rapid intervention and corrective actions. The project also facilitates expert panels, engaging stakeholders from research, industry, government, and NGOs to ensure practical applications and policy impact. Ultimately, aWISH seeks to enhance animal welfare monitoring efficiency, promote evidence-based policy decisions, and support the expansion of welfare assessment methods to other species. The project’s findings will contribute to improved welfare practices, consumer trust, and sustainability in the livestock sector.