Human-animal relationship science shows that positive stockperson attitudes and behaviours significantly improve pig welfare outcomes.
The human-animal relationship is a welfare factor often overlooked in physical welfare assessments. Pigs that fear their handlers experience chronic stress during every human-pig interaction - feeding, health checks, moving, and all routine management. Stockpeople who interact positively and calmly create environments where pigs are less fearful and handle more easily, reducing stress for both animal and handler. Training in positive interaction techniques has welfare benefits across the entire production cycle.