Evidence from higher-welfare pig production systems challenges the assumption that welfare improvement requires economic sacrifice, showing business benefits from welfare investment.
The business case for higher-welfare pig production challenges the dominant framing of welfare as a cost centre. Where welfare improvements reduce injury, disease, antibiotic use, and mortality, they also reduce costs and improve productivity. The net financial impact depends on context, but the evidence suggests that many welfare improvements are neutral or positive in economic terms when full costs including antibiotic expenditure, veterinary care, and mortality losses are accounted for. This evidence should be shared actively with the industry to reduce the perceived economic barrier to welfare reform.