Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Legacy Final

A final reflection on the legacy of pig welfare advocacy considers what has been built, what has been learned, and what this legacy means for the future of welfare advocacy and improvement.

Key Facts

Decades of pig welfare advocacy have achieved legislative change, corporate commitments, and cultural shifts
The scientific foundation built by welfare researchers has transformed what is known about pigs
Consumer awareness achieved through sustained public engagement is now a welfare asset
The advocate community has grown and professionalised over the welfare movement's history
The legacy will be judged by the actual welfare outcomes achieved for real pigs

Welfare Considerations

The legacy of pig welfare advocacy is ultimately measured in the welfare of pigs: sows that live without confinement, pigs that express natural behaviours with enrichment, animals that are spared unnecessary pain through improved management. These welfare outcomes are the purpose and the measure of everything the welfare movement has done. The legacy grows with each welfare improvement achieved and with each advocate who carries the work forward.

What You Can Do

Honour the welfare advocacy legacy by continuing the work
Support the next generation of welfare advocates who will extend the legacy
Measure your contribution to pig welfare by the welfare outcomes your actions achieve