Introduction: In Sweden, 15-20% of the 289,000 dairy cows are housed in tie-stalls. Since cows typically lie down for 8–16 hours a day, lying comfort is a keyaspect of animal welfare. Hard or poorly maintained surfaces can lead todiscomfort, injuries, lameness and soiling. It is the animal welfare inspectors ofthe County Administrative Boards who carry out official controls to ensure thatthe animal welfare regulations concerning the cows’ lying areas are compliedwith by dairy producers. This study was conducted to investigate whether animalwelfare inspectors apply a consistent approach when assessing bedding materialfor dairy cows in tie-stalls, and whether their previous experience of inspectingtie-stalls influences these assessments.

Methods: Using three photographs and accompanying brief information aboutthe situation that prevailed at the moment, the inspectors assessed cleanliness inlying areas, dryness, and adaptation to the animals and barn environment, inaccordance with the checklists and guidelines developed on the basis of theanimal welfare legislation.

Results and discussion: The results indicate divergent assessments among the89 respondents, particularly regarding bedding quality, quantity, and lying areacomfort. Assessments were especially challenging when bedding was limited orwhen rubber mats were present. Statistically significant differences were foundbetween inspectors’ assessments and their levels of experience, measured byyears of service, and the number of official controls conducted. However, thesedifferences were scattered, suggesting that experience explains only part of thevariability and that other factors or random variation may also contribute. Thisinconsistency can result in uneven enforcement of legal requirements and fostera sense of unfairness among producers. Achieving consensus in assessmentsamong inspectors is essential not only for ensuring compliance with animalwelfare legislation but also for maintaining fairness and trust in the official animalwelfare control system.