The Future of Pig Welfare: Technology, Policy and Behaviour

The next decade offers both challenges and opportunities for pig welfare improvement through technology, legislation and production system changes.

Key Facts

The EU Farm to Fork Strategy includes specific pig welfare improvement targets
Automated litter quality monitoring and pig welfare scoring systems are being commercialised
Alternative proteins and reduced meat consumption could reduce pig production volumes in some markets
Genetic selection tools are beginning to include welfare traits in breeding indices
Consumer demand for higher welfare pork is growing but remains a small market segment

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare improvement in the coming decade depends on multiple aligned forces. Legislative changes including farrowing crate phase-outs will drive structural changes in housing systems. Technology reducing the cost of welfare monitoring will enable more farms to implement regular assessment. Genetic selection incorporating welfare traits will gradually shift the biological baseline. Consumer demand and retailer policies will create economic incentives for above-minimum welfare standards. Each of these forces reinforces the others when aligned. The greatest risk is that economic pressure following policy change undermines welfare gains, requiring sustained monitoring and advocacy to consolidate improvements.

What You Can Do

Support EU Farm to Fork implementation for pig welfare provisions
Engage with legislative consultations on farrowing crate phase-out timelines and support
Choose pork from certified high welfare sources maintaining demand that makes higher welfare viable
Support research into welfare monitoring technology reducing the cost of assessment for farmers