Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Summary: Principles for Better Welfare

A summary of the core principles that evidence shows most reliably improve welfare for farmed pigs across all production systems.

Key Facts

Space allowance above minimum requirements consistently improves welfare
Rooting and manipulable enrichment addresses fundamental behavioural needs
Stable social groups reduce aggression and chronic stress
Early disease detection through trained observation enables faster treatment
Positive stockperson interactions improve pig trust and reduce fear stress

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare improvement is achievable in all production systems when core principles are applied: adequate space, rooting enrichment, stable social groups, skilled stockperson observation, and prompt pain management. No single intervention replaces the others - welfare is multidimensional and requires attention to physical, social, and psychological needs simultaneously. The good news is that high welfare and good production outcomes are aligned.

What You Can Do

Support comprehensive welfare certification covering all dimensions of pig welfare
Choose pork from farms demonstrating commitment to all core welfare principles
Advocate for evidence-based welfare standards grounded in pig behavioural needs