Pig Welfare and Food System Transformation

Food system transformation including reduced meat consumption and higher-welfare production offers the greatest opportunity for pig welfare improvement at scale.

Key Facts

A 50% reduction in UK pork consumption combined with universal higher-welfare production would improve 100M pig lives
Meat reduction combined with welfare improvement is more effective than either alone
Flexitarian dietary shifts in affluent countries could free up land and market incentives for welfare improvement
Corporate supply chain welfare commitments are most effective when combined with consumer demand signals
Food system transformation requires coordinated action across producers, retailers, consumers and policy

Welfare Considerations

Food system transformation is the most powerful lever for pig welfare improvement at scale. It requires coordinated action across multiple domains simultaneously, with welfare as a core design principle.

What You Can Do

Reduce pork consumption and redirect spending toward higher-welfare certified products
Support food system organisations that centre animal welfare in their reform agenda
Engage in public debates about food systems to advocate for pig welfare as a core consideration