Welfare science has moved beyond measuring absence of suffering to actively measuring positive states in pigs, identifying behavioural indicators of good welfare.
Positive welfare science represents a significant advance: rather than only measuring and minimising suffering, it actively assesses whether animals are thriving and experiencing positive states. Pigs in good welfare conditions show joy in play, curiosity in exploration, and contentment in social rest. These observable indicators can be incorporated into farm assessment, rewarding farms that go beyond minimum standards to provide genuinely enriching environments. Positive welfare assessment transforms what we ask of the industry.