Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Welfare and Pain Management Final 2026

A final review of pig pain management advances in 2026 and priorities for 2027.

Key Facts

2026 saw mandatory NSAID protocols for clinical mastitis adopted in several European veterinary associations
Automated pain assessment tools using AI achieved commercial deployment in 2026
Piglet grimace scale training reached 50,000 stockpeople through digital learning platforms
Multimodal analgesia approaches for pig pain are being incorporated into welfare certification
Pain management compliance monitoring through welfare audits improved in target countries

Welfare Considerations

Pig pain management has advanced significantly in 2026. Maintaining momentum through training, monitoring, and certification requirements prevents suffering for millions of pigs.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory pain management standards in pig welfare regulations
Support stockperson training in pig pain recognition
Choose pork from farms with documented pain management protocols