Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Welfare and Pandemic Preparedness 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed links between intensive animal farming and pandemic risk, with welfare improvements reducing zoonotic disease emergence.

Key Facts

Influenza pandemics have historically emerged from pig-human interfaces in intensive farming areas
Increased genetic diversity in pig populations reduces pandemic influenza emergence risk
Higher welfare systems with lower density and outdoor access reduce pathogen transmission
One Health surveillance linking human, animal, and environmental health is now recommended globally
Welfare improvements that reduce antibiotic use also reduce antimicrobial resistance risks

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare improvements reduce pandemic risk as well as individual suffering. The One Health connection between pig welfare and public health creates aligned interests for improvement.

What You Can Do

Support One Health approaches in agriculture and public health policy
Advocate for pandemic risk assessment in intensive farming regulation
Engage with the welfare-pandemic risk connections in your advocacy