Welfare Science

Pig Welfare in the Global South

Improving pig welfare in developing economies requires context-sensitive approaches that address the different systems and constraints compared to high-income countries.

Key Facts

Most of the world's pigs are kept in smallholder systems in Asia and Africa
Traditional village pig keeping often allows more natural behavior than intensive systems
Disease management, veterinary access, and nutrition are primary welfare challenges in these systems
African swine fever has caused massive welfare and economic harm in Asian pig populations
International development programs increasingly incorporate livestock welfare as a component

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare in the global south cannot simply adopt high-income country standards - it requires understanding of local systems, constraints, and values. Context-sensitive welfare improvement that integrates with development goals offers the most practical and sustainable path.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working on appropriate pig welfare improvement in developing countries
Advocate for inclusion of animal welfare in international development frameworks
Choose products from supply chains investing in welfare improvement across their global operations