The science of positive welfare measurement in pigs has advanced rapidly, offering tools to assess and demonstrate good welfare beyond just the absence of suffering.
Positive welfare science for pigs has transformed how we understand and measure what good pig welfare looks like. Rather than defining welfare only by the absence of suffering, positive welfare frameworks ask what good pig lives include: play, social exploration, comfortable rest, satisfying foraging, and positive social bonds. These measurable indicators allow farms to demonstrate and improve positive welfare, not just reduce negative experiences. Consumer-facing welfare labels increasingly incorporate positive welfare requirements, creating market incentives for farm improvements beyond minimum standards.