Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Welfare Through the Lifespan

Pig welfare encompasses the full life cycle from birth to slaughter, and welfare interventions at each stage compound to deliver better overall outcomes.

Key Facts

Welfare at each life stage affects welfare at subsequent stages through stress programming
Neonatal stress increases disease susceptibility and behavioural problems throughout life
Positive welfare experiences in early life have lasting protective effects on health
Slaughter welfare is determined partly by pre-slaughter handling and farm welfare history
Life-course welfare assessment provides a more complete picture than point-in-time audits

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare must be understood across the full life cycle. Investment in welfare at every stage creates compounding benefits that deliver the best possible outcomes.

What You Can Do

Advocate for life-course welfare assessment in pig certification standards
Support research on the long-term effects of early welfare on pig health
Choose pork from farms with consistent welfare standards throughout production