Legislative requirements for pain relief during surgical procedures in pigs represent important welfare advances, but implementation and enforcement gaps remain.
Pain relief during routine procedures in pigs has historically been the exception rather than the rule, causing millions of animals to undergo acute painful interventions without adequate analgesia. Legislative progress is being made in Europe, but implementation requires accessible, affordable veterinary medicines and practical administration methods. The establishment of mandatory pain relief requirements for pig castration and tail docking is a welfare advance that should be supported and extended to all painful procedures performed on farm.