Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Food System Transformation

Transforming food systems to improve pig welfare requires changes at multiple levels simultaneously - policy, market, consumer behaviour and farm management.

Key Facts

Higher welfare pork markets have grown but represent a small proportion of total production
Policy levers including standards legislation and public procurement can drive systemic change
Corporate welfare commitments from food companies are expanding but often unverified
Consumer education about welfare labels improves purchasing decision quality
Alternative protein development could reduce pig production volumes over time

Welfare Considerations

Food system transformation for pig welfare requires working at multiple levels simultaneously. No single intervention is sufficient - legislation without market demand fails; market demand without enabling policy is limited; consumer change without supply chain infrastructure is ineffective. Understanding these system dynamics helps direct welfare advocacy and investment toward the most effective leverage points.

What You Can Do

Support organisations working on systemic food system change for welfare
Make higher welfare food choices where budget allows to strengthen market signals
Advocate for public procurement standards that require higher-welfare meat products