Space allowance is among the most important welfare variables for farmed pigs. Understanding what science recommends versus what regulations require reveals a significant welfare gap.
Space allowance for pigs represents a case where regulatory minimums and welfare science are clearly misaligned. The EU minimum — 0.65 square metres for a market-weight pig — allows stocking densities so high that pigs cannot all lie simultaneously without physical contact. Research consistently shows that higher space allowances improve welfare across multiple indicators: less aggression, better rest behaviour, lower disease transmission, and fewer stereotypies. The gap between minimum regulatory requirements and welfare-science recommendations reflects the political economy of agricultural regulation — economic interests of producers have outweighed welfare evidence in standard-setting processes. Consumer willingness to pay for welfare-certified pork at higher space allowances creates market pressure that complements regulatory advocacy.