Research increasingly demonstrates that pigs experience positive emotional states, not merely the absence of negative ones — a finding with profound implications for welfare standards.
The recognition that pigs experience positive emotions — not merely the absence of suffering — fundamentally shifts what welfare means. Adequate welfare is no longer simply preventing pain and fear but enabling pigs to experience pleasure, curiosity, play, and social bonding. This higher standard is achievable and has been demonstrated in enriched production systems where play behavior, exploratory activity, and positive social interaction are measurable outcomes. The welfare assessment framework is evolving to capture these positive states, and production systems that only minimize harm without enabling positive experience are increasingly recognized as welfare-inadequate even when physical needs are met.