Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Welfare: Intersections with Environmental Sustainability

Pig welfare and environmental sustainability intersect in ways that make simultaneous improvement mutually beneficial.

Key Facts

Outdoor pig systems with high welfare have higher land use but lower antibiotic use than intensive systems
Reducing global pig consumption addresses both welfare and environmental sustainability simultaneously
Precision nutrition that improves welfare also reduces nutrient excretion and environmental pollution
Genetic diversity conservation in pigs supports both welfare resilience and ecosystem services

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare and environmental sustainability are more aligned than opposed. Reducing total pig consumption improves both. Higher welfare systems that use antibiotics less contribute to AMR reduction that benefits both animal and environmental health. Advocating for welfare improvement can be framed within a broader sustainability agenda.

What You Can Do

Connect pig welfare advocacy with environmental sustainability messaging for broader reach
Reduce pork consumption as a combined welfare and environmental sustainability action
Support higher welfare pig systems that also demonstrate better environmental performance