Farm Animals

Pig Stockperson Training and Welfare

Stockperson training in pig welfare has measurable impacts on animal welfare outcomes, with positive handling techniques reducing fear and stress across the herd.

Key Facts

The human-animal relationship in pig farming is quantified through avoidance distance tests
Stockpeople who report positive attitudes to pigs have herds with shorter avoidance distances
AHDB stockperson training programmes improve pig handling techniques and welfare outcomes
Staff turnover on pig farms is high, making ongoing training investment important
Stockperson wellbeing and job satisfaction correlates with animal welfare outcomes in research

Welfare Considerations

Stockperson training and culture are among the highest-return welfare investments in pig production. The human element of pig farming determines welfare outcomes as much as housing design.

What You Can Do

Support pig farms investing in stockperson welfare training and positive handling culture
Advocate for mandatory welfare training requirements in pig farm licensing
Ask retailers whether their pork supply chains include stockperson welfare training standards