Welfare Science

Farmed Pig Welfare: Looking Forward

A forward-looking assessment of the opportunities and challenges for pig welfare improvement in the coming decade.

Key Facts

Growing consumer awareness is creating market demand for higher welfare pork
Technology advances in monitoring and genetics will create new welfare improvement tools
Climate change will increase welfare challenges requiring adaptation
International convergence on welfare standards is slowly advancing through OIE
Cultivated meat and plant-based alternatives may reduce pig numbers with welfare implications

Welfare Considerations

The next decade offers genuine opportunities for pig welfare improvement through market dynamics, technology, and regulatory change. Consumer demand is growing, technology is advancing, and scientific evidence is accumulating. Whether these opportunities translate into real welfare improvements depends on industry willingness to change, regulatory ambition, and sustained consumer and political pressure.

What You Can Do

Support organisations working on long-term pig welfare improvement
Engage with food system transformation that centres animal welfare
Advocate for ambitious welfare standards that build on emerging opportunities