The pig industry has voted to allow audits to be carried out on all commercial pig farms and for a new labelling system to be brought in detailing how the pork is produced.
Pork Industry Board chief executive Sam McIvor says consumer feedback shows that they want clarity about how pork is produced, as well as assurances that the animals are well cared for.
Mr McIvor says the audits will help to give those assurances and will focus on finding out whether farms are meeting minimum standards or best practice guidelines.
He says most farmers are meeting the 2015 target of limiting the use of sow crates to four weeks.
Mr McIvor says it is important that the labels are clearly understood, as is the case with those used by the egg industry, and hopes the new system will be in place by the end of the year.
Agriculture Minister David Carter told the pork industry conference earlier this week that it could not afford to ignore genuine consumer concerns about some of its farming practices, in particular, the use of sow crates.
Mr Carter says he is pleased the industry appears to be taking his concerns about animal welfare on board.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has welcomed the industry's decision to introduce auditing and labelling.
It says consumers can also look out for its new 'blue tick' label for products that it believes have been produced in a humane way.
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will review the use of sow stalls this year.
