Pig Positive Human-Animal Relationship

The relationship between stockpeople and pigs significantly influences pig welfare. Positive human-animal relationships reduce fear, improve welfare outcomes, and have production benefits.

Key Facts

Pigs who voluntarily approach humans show lower stress hormone levels and better welfare indicators than fearful pigs
Stockperson handling approach — calm, consistent, positive — predicts pig fearfulness and welfare outcomes across herds
The Human-Animal Relationship (HAR) test measures the proportion of pigs who voluntarily approach a stationary unfamiliar person
Aversive handling — shouting, hitting, electric goading — creates fear that persists and impairs welfare throughout the production cycle
Farms with higher HAR scores (more voluntary approach) show lower aggression, fewer injuries, and better reproductive performance

Welfare Considerations

The human-animal relationship in pig farming is a welfare variable that is determined by daily stockperson behavior rather than facility investment. A pig who is afraid of humans faces ongoing stress every time a stockperson enters their pen — which may be multiple times daily. Fear of humans impairs feeding behavior, increases aggression between pigs, and elevates chronic stress. Conversely, pigs who are habituated to calm, positive human presence are less reactive to all disturbances, handle veterinary procedures with less stress, and have measurably better welfare. Stockperson training in calm handling and positive interaction is one of the highest-return welfare investments a pig farm can make.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes that assess HAR scores as part of farm welfare auditing
Advocate for mandatory stockperson training in positive handling and human-animal relationship principles
Choose pork from certified farms with documented positive welfare management practices
Share research on HAR and welfare outcomes with pig farmers and agricultural advisors
Raise awareness that stockperson behavior is a core determinant of pig welfare alongside facility design