Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare 2026 Annual Advances

A summary of 2026 advances in pig welfare science, policy, and practice documents the year's contributions to improving conditions for pigs globally.

Key Facts

EU tail docking reduction targets have been progressively adopted by member states
CO2 stunning alternatives have entered commercial pilot operation at multiple slaughter plants
Digital welfare monitoring technology has been validated in commercial farm settings
Consumer welfare certification market share has grown to record levels
New validated pain assessment tools have been adopted in veterinary practice

Welfare Considerations

2026 represents a year of genuine, documented progress in pig welfare across policy, science, technology, and market channels. Each advance creates the foundation for continued improvement in subsequent years.

What You Can Do

Engage with annual pig welfare progress reports from leading welfare organisations
Celebrate 2026 welfare advances while maintaining focus on remaining challenges
Invest in organisations driving the specific advances that show greatest potential for continued progress