Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Welfare in Crisis and Disruption

Disease outbreaks, extreme weather, and market disruptions create acute welfare crises in pig farming requiring emergency management protocols.

Key Facts

Disease outbreaks may require mass euthanasia of uninfected pigs for disease control
COVID-19 caused slaughterhouse closures leading to pig welfare emergencies in 2020
Extreme weather events can cause catastrophic mortality without emergency cooling
Market disruptions that prevent sale of slaughter-weight pigs cause welfare emergencies
Business continuity planning for pig farms should include welfare emergency protocols

Welfare Considerations

Welfare crises in pig farming occur when normal management is disrupted by disease, weather, market failure, or labour shortage. Emergency management protocols that prioritise pig welfare during crisis periods prevent the worst welfare outcomes. Government and industry coordination frameworks for welfare emergencies need development before crises occur.

What You Can Do

Support development of government pig welfare emergency response frameworks
Advocate for farm business continuity planning requirements including welfare protocols
Donate to organisations providing emergency support to farms in welfare crises