Abstract
Animal welfare science has engaged in the studies of how mainly farm animals, but to a lesser extent also sport and pet animals and laboratory animals, are affected by various environmental factors. With philosophers engaging in animal welfare it became obvious that animal welfare cannot be properly improved without addressing ethical values. A new trend in animal welfare research is to focus on animal-based measures of welfare, making use of positive emotions as measures of good animal welfare and a multidisciplinary approach to the subject of animal welfare. In order to help risk managers to set appropriate priorities, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has taken on the task of developing a risk assessment methodology for animal welfare. In the last decade, the engagement in animal welfare has led to two international bodies working globally to bring on the subject of animal welfare as one of their areas of responsibility. It can be concluded that animal welfare research has developed from merely studies on changes in behaviour and physiological parameters to also include studies of affective states. Research has become more interdisciplinary and often social sciences are part of such research. Animal welfare has become a factor to consider for legislation and international trade.