Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Climate Change Adaptation

Climate change is creating new welfare challenges for pig farming - adaptation through housing, genetics, and management maintains welfare as conditions change.

Key Facts

Heat stress in pig farming is increasing as summer temperatures rise in many regions
Elevated mortality from heat stress is projected to increase significantly by 2050
Sprinkler cooling and improved ventilation are achievable adaptations for indoor systems
Genetic selection for heat tolerance is an emerging welfare breeding priority
Outdoor systems require shade provision that scales with increasing heat events

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is making pig welfare harder to maintain without active adaptation. Proactive investment in cooling technology, appropriate genetics, and management modification protects pig welfare from worsening climate conditions.

What You Can Do

Support research into climate-adapted pig housing and management strategies
Advocate for climate risk assessment as part of pig welfare certification
Engage with producers about practical heat stress mitigation investments