Pig welfare science is advancing rapidly and informing policy developments that could transform commercial pig production toward higher welfare systems globally.
The direction of travel for pig welfare is toward systems that allow greater expression of natural behaviour, reduce painful procedures, and incorporate positive welfare assessment. Progress requires alignment of policy, market incentives, and practical production system innovation. The next decade may see transformative changes including widespread free farrowing adoption, tail biting management without docking, and welfare-positive genetic selection becoming mainstream.