Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare 21st Century Progress

A retrospective on pig welfare progress in the 21st century shows genuine achievements and remaining challenges for the decades ahead.

Key Facts

EU gestation stall ban has improved welfare for millions of sows since full implementation
Antibiotic reduction in European pig farming has been achieved while maintaining health outcomes
Growing consumer awareness has driven corporate welfare commitments from major food companies
Welfare science advances including positive welfare indicators have transformed assessment capability
Significant welfare challenges including farrowing crates and CO2 stunning remain unresolved

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare progress in the 21st century is real and documents achievement alongside remaining challenge. The trajectory is positive with increasing legislative, market and science-based pressure for continued improvement.

What You Can Do

Celebrate genuine pig welfare progress to sustain advocacy motivation
Identify remaining welfare challenges as priorities for continued advocacy and research
Support the pipeline of welfare innovation translating today's research into tomorrow's practice