Surgical castration of male piglets is performed to prevent boar taint in pork, but the procedure causes significant pain and is being replaced by alternatives including immunocastration and entire male production.
Surgical castration of piglets without anaesthesia or analgesia causes acute severe pain — documented by vocalisation, physiological stress markers, and altered behaviour lasting days after the procedure. The EU platform voluntary commitments showed progress but compliance was inconsistent. Pain relief during and after the procedure (local anaesthesia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) dramatically reduces suffering when castration is performed, and is now a legal requirement in several EU countries. Transition to immunocastration or entire male production eliminates the welfare cost entirely. Consumer education about immunocastration — particularly addressing misconceptions about hormone residues — is critical to supporting this more welfare-friendly alternative.