Integrating welfare traits into pig breeding programs has genuine potential to improve welfare at the population level, with heritability research identifying actionable selection opportunities.
Pig welfare genetics represents a long-term structural welfare improvement opportunity that complements management-based interventions. The heritability of key welfare-relevant traits means that selective breeding can gradually shift the population distribution toward more welfare-positive profiles. The business case for welfare genetics is strengthening as retailers and regulations increase the cost of welfare failures and as health-associated production traits align with welfare traits. The challenge is measurement - welfare traits require validated, consistent measurement tools to be incorporated into breeding programs, and investment in developing these tools is a prerequisite for genetic progress.