Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Pig Welfare in 2026 Annual Report

A 2026 annual review of pig welfare progress documents achievements, identifies remaining gaps, and sets the direction for continued improvement.

Key Facts

EU group sow housing implementation is now over 95% complete across member states
Tail docking reduction programmes show progress in Denmark and Netherlands
CO2 stunning alternatives are in commercial pilot operation in three EU countries
Pig welfare certification market share has grown to 15% of EU retail pork
Digital welfare monitoring technology adoption has tripled since 2023

Welfare Considerations

Annual progress assessment in pig welfare serves to celebrate achievements, identify gaps, and maintain momentum. The 2026 picture shows real progress alongside significant remaining challenges - both are essential to acknowledge for sustained welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Engage with annual pig welfare progress reports from leading welfare organisations
Support organisations that document and assess progress against welfare benchmarks
Celebrate welfare progress while maintaining focus on remaining challenges