Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Pig Respiratory Disease Prevention

Respiratory disease is common in intensive pig farming, causing significant suffering and economic loss that better housing and management can prevent.

Key Facts

Enzootic pneumonia affects up to 80 percent of pigs in intensive systems
High stocking density, poor ventilation, and mixing of animals promote disease
Pigs with respiratory disease show reduced growth, labored breathing, and lethargy
Improved ventilation and lower stocking density reduce disease burden significantly

Welfare Considerations

Chronic respiratory disease causes ongoing discomfort, reduced ability to breathe normally, and systemic effects including reduced immune function. Sick pigs experience pain and reduced quality of life across weeks or months of the production cycle. Better housing design that provides adequate ventilation, reduces dust, and limits pathogen transmission prevents significant suffering.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers certified to higher welfare standards
Support research on housing designs that reduce respiratory disease
Advocate for ventilation standards in pig housing regulations
Reduce pork consumption or shift to plant-based alternatives