Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Ecosystem Services

How pig welfare improvements intersect with environmental sustainability and ecosystem service delivery.

Key Facts

High-welfare outdoor pig systems have both benefits and costs for ecosystem services
Pasture-based pig systems sequester more carbon than indoor systems in some analyses
High stocking density outdoor systems can cause soil compaction and run-off welfare problems
Welfare improvements that reduce antibiotic use deliver ecosystem services through AMR reduction
Food system transformation toward welfare-compatible systems needs ecosystem impact assessment

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare improvements cannot be evaluated in isolation from their environmental implications. Some higher welfare systems have positive ecosystem impacts, others have unexpected costs. Integrated assessment that considers both animal welfare and ecosystem services is needed.

What You Can Do

Support food system transitions that consider both animal welfare and environmental outcomes
Engage with life cycle analysis tools that include animal welfare in sustainability assessment
Advocate for welfare and sustainability to be considered together in food policy