Farmed Pig: Respiratory Disease and Air Quality Welfare

Respiratory disease caused by pathogens including Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, PRRS virus, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae causes widespread suffering in intensive pig production worldwide.

Key Facts

Porcine respiratory disease complex affects the majority of commercial pig herds globally
PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) alone causes over $600 million in annual US losses
High ammonia levels in poorly ventilated pig houses predispose pigs to respiratory infection
Clinical signs include coughing, laboured breathing, fever, and reduced growth
Vaccination programmes against Mycoplasma and PRRS significantly reduce disease burden
Air filtration systems in high-health herds prevent PRRS introduction from outside

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease in pigs causes prolonged suffering that is inadequately visible to producers managing large herds. Pigs with pneumonia experience fever, breathing difficulty, and systemic illness that reduces feed intake, social interaction, and mobility. The relationship between housing air quality and respiratory disease means that ventilation investment is directly a welfare investment. Better monitoring technology that detects coughing sounds and breathing abnormalities through automated systems is beginning to enable earlier detection and treatment, reducing the duration of individual suffering.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory ventilation standards in pig housing that prevent ammonia accumulation
Advocate for comprehensive vaccination programmes against key respiratory pathogens
Choose pork from systems demonstrating investment in air quality and respiratory health monitoring
Support research into automated pig health monitoring for earlier respiratory disease detection
Donate to veterinary welfare organisations improving respiratory disease management in pig production