Welfare Science

Pig Welfare Consumer Campaigns: Progress and Impact

Evaluating the impact of consumer-facing campaigns on pig welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Consumer campaigns have driven significant retailer and foodservice commitments to higher pig welfare standards
Cage-free egg commitments were secured through consumer pressure combined with corporate campaigns
Gestation crate-free pork commitments from major US retailers followed sustained campaign pressure
Impact measurement of consumer campaigns remains challenging but adoption rates provide partial evidence

Welfare Considerations

Consumer campaigns can produce significant welfare improvements, particularly when targeted at brand-sensitive major retailers and foodservice companies. Their effectiveness depends on consumer willingness to act and corporate sensitivity to reputational risk. Pairing consumer campaigns with corporate engagement maximises impact.

What You Can Do

Sign and share campaigns targeting major retailers on specific pig welfare asks
Make specific welfare commitments to your favourite restaurants or retailers through feedback channels
Support welfare campaign organisations with proven track records of corporate commitments