There is widespread public concern regarding animal welfare in the United States. Evidence for this concern, and how it affects the long-term sustainability of animal use, is apparent in numerous stakeholder initiatives to develop standards of animal care and verify their compliance through auditing and assessment programs. Specific examples include the North American Meat Institute Animal Handling Guidelines & Audit Guide, United Egg Producer’s Certified Animal Welfare Program, National Chicken Council Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist For Broilers and Broiler Breeders, National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, and the National Pork Board’s Common Swine Industry Audit. Similarly, the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (commonly referred to as “The Ag Guide”) is widely utilized by agricultural universities as their basis for compliance with institutional animal care and use oversight. Animal care standards are also provided within the World Organisation of Animal Health’s (WOAH) Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Codes, indicating the importance of animal welfare in international trade. Taken together, these programs demonstrate a continued need and widespread support for science-based animal welfare recommendations to adequately inform animal care standards.

Through NC-1029, we have established a national scientific committee to generate and disseminate objective scientific information on animal welfare issues. This committee is composed of approximately 40 scientists working in multiple disciplines at different locations throughout North America. Our research is critical for providing the science and technology to help relevant stakeholders make informed decisions about standards of animal care. Science-based animal care standards and animal welfare knowledge are essential for safeguarding animal health and ensuring a reliable agricultural product supply chain. Therefore, the NC1029 project aligns with the following priorities for research and development outlined by the USDA in 2026:

1. Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers


2. Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products


3. Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species