Disasters including floods, fires and hurricanes pose catastrophic welfare risks to farmed pigs, requiring advance emergency planning.
Farmed pigs are particularly vulnerable in disasters because they are difficult to move under stress conditions. Flooding, fire and storm damage to barns can result in mass suffering and death. Farms without emergency protocols leave pigs with no avenue of escape or rescue. Pre-planning that includes emergency loading training for pigs, disaster contacts and evacuation routes can save lives and prevent mass suffering events.