Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Genetic Diversity and Welfare

Intensive selection in commercial pig breeding has reduced genetic diversity in major production breeds. This has welfare implications through increased prevalence of genetic conditions and reduced resilience to disease.

Key Facts

The global pig industry is dominated by a small number of commercial genetics companies
Genetic diversity within commercial Large White and Landrace populations has declined substantially
Porcine Stress Syndrome, caused by a single gene mutation, was selected into commercial breeds
Heritage breed pigs often show better behavioural repertoire and disease resilience
Genetic diversity serves as an insurance policy against novel disease challenges

Welfare Considerations

Narrow genetic diversity in commercial pig populations creates welfare vulnerabilities through accumulation of genetic conditions and reduced adaptive capacity to changing disease and climate challenges. Supporting genetic diversity through breed conservation programmes and incorporating welfare traits into selection indices reduces these long-term welfare risks.

What You Can Do

Support rare and heritage pig breed conservation organisations
Advocate for welfare trait inclusion in commercial pig breeding programmes
Choose pork from farms using diverse genetics where this information is available