Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Veterinary Access in Intensive Systems

Regular veterinary input into pig herd health and welfare is associated with better welfare outcomes. The frequency and quality of veterinary engagement varies widely across the industry.

Key Facts

Health and welfare planning requirements make annual vet visits compulsory in some countries
Proactive veterinary engagement beyond emergency call-out reduces overall disease burden
Veterinary input into enrichment, housing and management design improves welfare outcomes
Telemedicine tools are expanding veterinary reach in remote or under-served pig farming areas
Training non-veterinary staff in basic welfare assessment reduces time-to-treatment delays

Welfare Considerations

Veterinary access is a welfare enabler that many pig farms use inadequately. Regular proactive veterinary engagement rather than reactive emergency visits transforms welfare management quality.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory herd health and welfare planning requirements across pig sectors
Support veterinary education initiatives focused on pig welfare practice
Choose welfare-certified pork that includes veterinary engagement in audit standards