Welfare Science

Pig Welfare Hotspots and Priorities

Identifying the highest-impact welfare hotspots within pig production guides targeted investment of advocacy and research resources.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates cause severe sow immobility welfare harm during one of the most vulnerable periods
CO2 stunning causes distress to millions of pigs at slaughter - a high-frequency, high-severity problem
Tail biting outbreaks affect thousands of animals simultaneously in affected units
Transport aggregates welfare harms from mixing, thermal stress, and vehicle movement
Weaning age policies affect hundreds of millions of piglets annually

Welfare Considerations

Welfare hotspot analysis identifies where intervention would prevent the most suffering. The combination of frequency, severity, and tractability guides which problems deserve the most urgent attention and resources.

What You Can Do

Support advocacy targeting the highest welfare hotspots in pig production
Donate to organizations with proven track records on high-priority welfare issues
Make purchasing choices that address the specific welfare hotspots you find most important