Policy

Advances in Livestock Pain Management

Advances in veterinary analgesics and assessment tools are improving livestock pain management outcomes.

Key Facts

NSAIDs including meloxicam and ketoprofen are widely available and effective for livestock pain management
Local anaesthetics for routine procedures including castration and disbudding dramatically reduce suffering
Multimodal analgesia combining different drug classes provides superior pain control
Long-acting formulations allow sustained pain relief without repeated dosing
Economic analysis consistently shows that pain management improves recovery and productivity outcomes

Welfare Considerations

The science of livestock pain management has advanced enormously in recent decades, providing both the tools to control pain effectively and the economic evidence that pain management pays. The remaining challenge is ensuring that available pain management is actually used consistently across farming practice. Regulatory mandates, vet prescribing guidance, and farmer education all have roles to play.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory pain relief requirements for all routine livestock procedures
Advocate for affordable access to analgesics for all livestock farmers
Choose certified products from farms that document pain management protocols
Support veterinary guidance that makes pain management the default for all procedures
Engage with farming communities to promote pain management as both ethical and economically rational