Farm Animals

Pig Welfare 2026 Progress Report

A progress report on pig welfare in 2026 documents advances, remaining challenges, and priorities for continued improvement.

Key Facts

EU piglet castration pain relief requirement progress has been made in several member states
Corporate commitments to sow stall-free production now cover over 60 percent of EU retail volume
Precision livestock farming deployments for welfare monitoring have expanded to multiple countries
Consumer higher welfare pork market share has grown by approximately 8 percent annually
Tail biting prevalence has declined in countries with enrichment enforcement improvements

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare progress in 2026 is real and measurable, driven by legislative momentum, market demand, and technological innovation. Significant challenges remain in enforcement, global south welfare, and achieving the most ambitious welfare improvements in existing legislation.

What You Can Do

Support organizations that document and publicize pig welfare progress to build positive momentum
Advocate for continued regulatory progress on the most challenging remaining welfare issues
Choose higher welfare pork consistently to contribute to the market demand driving change