Pigs have a powerful innate motivation to root and forage — providing outlets for this behavior is one of the most impactful welfare improvements possible in pig farming.
Rooting is not optional behavior for pigs — it is a highly motivated, nearly constant activity under natural conditions. In barren concrete or slatted floor systems, this motivation cannot be expressed and is redirected into pen-mates, causing injury. Straw satisfies rooting motivation better than any other tested enrichment and also reduces aggression, stereotypic behavior, and stress. The welfare case for straw provision is overwhelming, yet most intensive pig operations worldwide still use barren systems. Enforcing existing enrichment requirements would improve the lives of billions of pigs.