Livestock

Pig Biosecurity and Disease Prevention Welfare

Biosecurity measures in pig farming prevent disease introduction that causes significant welfare harm, making prevention one of the most important welfare tools available.

Key Facts

PRRS, African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease can devastate pig welfare in affected herds
Biosecurity includes visitor controls, vehicle disinfection, and pig sourcing protocols
Endemically clean herds achieve substantially lower disease prevalence and better welfare outcomes
All-in all-out production systems reduce pathogen carryover between batches
Biosecurity investment has both economic and welfare returns that align producer incentives

Welfare Considerations

Pigs in herds with poor biosecurity face higher disease burden causing pain, respiratory distress, and mortality. Prevention through biosecurity is more welfare-positive than treatment as it avoids the suffering of the disease itself alongside any treatment impacts. Biosecurity also reduces antibiotic use, addressing the wider welfare and public health concern of antimicrobial resistance. Well-designed biosecurity systems are achievable at farms of all sizes.

What You Can Do

Support pork certification schemes with documented biosecurity requirements
Advocate for biosecurity auditing in farm assurance welfare assessments
Choose pork from farms with known biosecurity standards and low antibiotic use
Support extension services helping pig farmers improve biosecurity practices
Encourage veterinary health planning that includes biosecurity assessment for all pig herds