Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Legacy of Science

The scientific legacy of pig welfare research represents decades of evidence accumulation that has transformed understanding of pig cognition, emotion, and welfare needs. Celebrating this legacy inspires continued research.

Key Facts

Key researchers including Mendl, Held, and Briefer established the scientific basis for pig positive welfare
Cognitive bias tests developed for pigs have been applied across dozens of species
Pain assessment scales for pigs have been validated and translated into clinical practice
Social complexity research has fundamentally changed understanding of pig behavioural needs
Decades of research have built an evidence base that justifies significant welfare standard changes

Welfare Considerations

The scientific legacy of pig welfare research represents an extraordinary collective achievement that has transformed both scientific understanding and practical welfare standards. Celebrating this legacy - and the researchers who built it - inspires the next generation of welfare scientists and demonstrates the real-world impact of welfare research investment. This legacy will continue to grow as new research questions are answered and new tools are developed.

What You Can Do

Engage with the history and achievements of pig welfare science
Support training programmes for the next generation of pig welfare scientists
Share the scientific legacy of pig welfare research with public audiences