Pig Welfare and 2026 Final Review

A final review of pig welfare in 2026, capturing the most significant advances, persistent challenges, and reasons for hope going forward.

Key Facts

EU Farm Animal Welfare Platform continued progress on farrowing crate and enrichment guidelines
Commercial farrowing crate alternatives are operating at scale in Netherlands and Sweden
Precision monitoring adoption increased significantly on UK pig farms through assurance incentives
Consumer demand for crate-free and higher-welfare pork continued to grow in premium markets
Global south pig production expanded with welfare standards remaining minimal in many markets

Welfare Considerations

2026 has been a year of genuine but insufficient pig welfare progress. The establishment of commercial-scale farrowing crate alternatives in leading markets demonstrates that high-welfare production is achievable and viable. Technology advances and consumer demand are creating conditions for improvement in mainstream markets. The fundamental challenge remains extending progress beyond leading systems to the global majority of production. This requires continued pressure on all levers - technology, policy, markets, and consumer behaviour - simultaneously and without relenting.

What You Can Do

Celebrate the progress achieved in 2026 as motivation for continued effort
Maintain and intensify advocacy on the persistent welfare challenges that progress has not yet addressed
Share the vision of what improved pig welfare looks like to inspire the next generation of advocates