Comparing pig welfare standards and outcomes across countries reveals significant variation that reflects regulatory frameworks, production systems, cultural attitudes, and market incentives.
International comparison demonstrates that high welfare standards are achievable in commercial pig production - Nordic countries demonstrate that profitable pig farming is compatible with excellent welfare. The global welfare picture is highly uneven: billions of pigs in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa live in conditions that would be illegal in the EU. International trade, market access requirements, and welfare capacity building are the primary levers for improving welfare in lower-regulation countries.