Scientists use facial-recognition technology to prove animals were stress-free

Proof they’re as happy as pigs in mud? Scientists use facial-recognition technology to prove animals were stress-free before they were killed for meat

  • Thirty-six pigs are involved and 3D and 2D cameras are used to identify emotions
  • Trials are being conducted at by animal researchers at Scotland’s Rural College
  • The aim is to help farmers provide the best rearing conditions to get ‘happy’ pigs

Scientists are using state-of-the-art facial-recognition technology to try to prove that pigs led a happy life before they were killed for meat production.

The aim is to boost sales by reassuring shoppers the animals were reared in a stress-free, caring way.

The trials are being conducted by animal behaviour researchers at Scotland’s Rural College together with the University of the West of England.

Scientists are using state-of-the-art facial-recognition technology to try to prove that pigs led a happy life before they were killed for meat production

Thirty-six pigs are involved and 3D and 2D cameras are used to identify happiness, sadness, pain or stress from their facial expressions.

‘The challenge is to get the pigs to look straight at the camera,’ said Dr Kenny Rutherford, a scientist at the college’s Pig Research Centre in Midlothian. ‘It’s like getting kids to perform for a passport photo.’

The aim is to help farmers provide the best rearing conditions so supermarkets can boast on their labels that pork chops, bacon and ham come from ‘happy’ pigs.

Dr Rutherford said: ‘We won’t be able to actually see a pig smile but we hope to see an absence of tension or a retraction of muscles on a pig’s face that would indicate contentment.’

The first results from the research are expected before the end of the year.

 

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