Cultural attitudes toward animals have been changing rapidly during the past 50 years. These changes have\u00a0culminated in some remarkable and very recent developments in farm animal welfare. In the United States,\u00a0guidelines and audit procedures, designed to assure consumers that animal welfare standards are being met, are\u00a0currently being introduced by chain restaurants and other major players in the food industry. The European Union\u00a0has agreed to implement major changes in production methods including phasing out the battery cage for laying\u00a0hens and the gestation stall for pregnant sows. To prepare for such changes, the animal industries need certain\u00a0services and resources to be in place: ( 1) research, development and expertise to ensure that acceptable methods are\u00a0accessible and well tested, (2) economic conditions that favor the timely adoption of such methods, (3) a regulatory\u00a0environment adequate to encourage appropriate changes and to assure the public that key concerns are being met,\u00a0and ( 4) organizational leadership and infrastructure to help the animal industries anticipate and prepare for emerging\u00a0issues. The animal industries need to act promptly to ensure that these services are in place, in order to promote a\u00a0smooth transition to production standards and methods that will meet changing expectations.<\/p>\n