Castration of male livestock is performed in most production systems for management reasons, with the welfare impact depending critically on method and pain management.
Castration welfare improvement represents a clear case where knowledge and tools exist but implementation is incomplete. Pain management options including local anaesthesia and NSAIDs are available for all common methods and species. Immunocastration in pigs eliminates the procedure entirely while achieving the same management goals. Yet many castrations globally are still performed without pain relief, particularly on farms where cost and regulatory requirements are minimal. Progressive jurisdictions have mandated pain management; others rely on voluntary adoption. Welfare certification provides a market mechanism to drive adoption in the absence of regulation.