The Canadian Pork Council developed the Animal Care Assessment (ACA) after international and domestic pressure proved it was needed. The UK was the first to adopt animal welfare guidelines, and Europe followed shortly after. In the US, retailers were increasing pressure on producers to provide welfare guidelines, and the industry responded by creating the Swine Welfare Assurance Program. Canada created the ACA shortly after, and set a minimum care point for producers based off of on-farm audits. However, the ACA is a voluntary program with no financial incentive. It is important for Canada to be seen as upholding high animal welfare standards in order to maintain its export market, and producers should see that the ACA will help Canada keep up with global change.