Welfare Science

Pig Welfare Research Priorities 2027

Key research priorities for advancing pig welfare science and practical improvement in the coming years.

Key Facts

Pain assessment tools validated for practical farm use remain insufficient
Individual pig identification at scale is needed for welfare monitoring technology
Genetic basis of welfare-relevant traits including stress reactivity requires further study
Consumer engagement with pig welfare is shaped by factors welfare scientists poorly understand
Transition from suffering prevention to positive welfare requires new measurement frameworks

Welfare Considerations

Prioritizing welfare research effectively requires understanding where the gaps between evidence and practice are most significant. For pigs, validated pain assessment tools and positive welfare measurement frameworks are among the highest-impact research priorities.

What You Can Do

Support funding for pig welfare science at universities and research institutions
Engage with welfare research findings and share them to broaden their impact
Advocate for welfare research requirements in government farm animal research funding