Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare Network Effects and Sector Change

Network effects in pig supply chains mean that welfare improvements by leading farms and companies can cascade throughout entire sectors.

Key Facts

When major retailers set welfare standards, suppliers throughout the supply chain must adapt
Industry leader welfare commitments shift the baseline that competitors must meet to maintain market access
Certification schemes create communities of practice that share welfare improvement knowledge
Government-industry partnerships on welfare improvement amplify the effect of voluntary commitments
Network effects mean that early welfare adopters create conditions for broader sector change

Welfare Considerations

Network effects in agricultural supply chains mean that welfare improvements by influential actors have disproportionate impact. Strategic engagement with supply chain leaders and certification bodies leverages these effects to drive welfare improvement beyond individual farm choices.

What You Can Do

Support campaign organisations targeting major food companies whose commitments cascade through supply chains
Advocate for certification scheme improvements that set higher standards for the communities of farms they represent
Engage with government-industry partnership processes that leverage network effects for welfare improvement