Livestock

Space Allowances and Pig Welfare

The space available to pigs in commercial systems directly affects their ability to express natural behaviours and maintain social wellbeing.

Key Facts

EU regulations specify minimum space allowances for pigs by weight category
At 100 kg, EU minimum is 1.0 square metre per pig in indoor systems
Higher welfare standards typically require 1.3 to 1.5 square metres or more
Overcrowded pigs show increased aggression, tail biting, and stereotypic behaviour
Space allowance interacts with enrichment provision in determining welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Pigs with insufficient space cannot perform important natural behaviours including rooting, exploration, and resting away from other pigs. Overcrowding increases competition for resources and elevates stress hormones. The interaction between space and enrichment means that enrichment can partially compensate for limited space, but cannot fully substitute for adequate area.

What You Can Do

Support higher welfare pork certification with better space allowances
Advocate for space requirement increases in EU and UK pig welfare legislation
Choose pork from RSPCA Assured or organic sources
Support research into optimal space allowances for different pig production systems
Encourage retailers to commit to higher welfare pork standards throughout supply chains