Reform of pig housing systems to improve welfare has made progress in some regions but faces economic and practical barriers that require targeted support.
Pig housing reform demonstrates both the possibilities and challenges of welfare-driven system change. Countries that have committed to farrowing crate phase-outs have found implementation slower than anticipated, partly due to economic barriers and partly due to technical challenges in free-farrowing system design. Financial support mechanisms that help farmers with transition costs, combined with market signals through welfare certification and premium pricing, are the most effective drivers of reform. The evidence from countries and farms that have successfully transitioned provides confidence that high-welfare pig housing is technically and economically viable at commercial scale.