Pig Welfare Research Priorities: What Science Needs to Solve

Overview of key research priorities for advancing pig welfare science and practice.

Key Facts

Pain assessment tools for pigs are less developed than for companion animals
Understanding pig positive welfare states requires validated behavioural indicators
Research on group housing dynamics and aggression management is ongoing
Precision monitoring technology for pig welfare is developing rapidly
3Rs for pig welfare research itself is an emerging consideration

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare research priorities in 2026 include developing better pain assessment tools, validating positive welfare indicators, understanding group dynamics and aggression management, and translating precision monitoring technology into practical welfare tools. The gap between welfare science and farm practice is a persistent challenge requiring research on implementation as well as underlying welfare science. Funding allocation to applied welfare research is a key advocacy priority.

What You Can Do

Support animal welfare research funding organisations including BPEX and BBSRC
Advocate for welfare science research as a priority in agricultural research funding
Engage with pig welfare research organisations and their knowledge dissemination activities