Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Plant-Based Transition

The transition to plant-based diets reduces farmed pig numbers and welfare impacts - engaging with this transition is a welfare strategy.

Key Facts

Plant-based meat alternatives now replicate pork flavour and texture convincingly
Sales of plant-based pork products are growing in major markets globally
Every consumer who reduces pork consumption reduces demand for intensive pig farming
Plant-based transition combined with welfare certification of remaining pig products improves average welfare
Pig welfare advocates can engage with plant-based transition as a complementary welfare strategy

Welfare Considerations

Plant-based dietary transition directly reduces the number of pigs in intensive farming, addressing welfare at scale. While not the only approach, reducing demand for pork products provides welfare benefit by reducing the total pig population under intensive farming conditions.

What You Can Do

Explore plant-based alternatives to pork products to reduce personal impact
Share positive experiences of plant-based pork products to encourage others
Support organisations working on both plant-based transition and welfare certification as complementary strategies