Farmed Animals

Intensive Pig Breeding and Genetic Welfare Issues

Selective breeding for rapid growth in pigs has created health and welfare problems that parallel those seen in broiler chickens.

Key Facts

Modern commercial pig breeds have been selected for rapid growth and lean meat production
Fast-growing pigs are more susceptible to respiratory disease and leg problems
Heart defects associated with rapid growth are a welfare concern in some commercial breeds
Traditional slower-growing breeds have fewer structural health problems but are less economically efficient
Welfare science increasingly advocates for selecting breeding goals that include health and welfare traits

Welfare Considerations

Intensive genetic selection for production traits in pigs has created animals whose physiological limits are exceeded under commercial conditions. Incorporating welfare traits into breeding programmes — including good leg conformation, disease resistance, and temperament — is a critical welfare intervention for future pig welfare.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from slower-growing heritage breeds where available
Support welfare standards that include restrictions on breeds with high welfare-compromising traits
Advocate for inclusion of welfare traits in pig breeding programmes
Support research into pig breed welfare outcomes across different production systems