Farm Animals

Pig Welfare Benchmarking: Industry Progress

Welfare benchmarking programmes measure and incentivise improvement across commercial pig production, linking welfare outcomes to market access and financial rewards.

Key Facts

Slaughterhouse welfare outcome data provides objective benchmarks across producers
Key welfare indicators include tail lesions, bursae, respiratory lesions, and ear injuries
Benchmarking programmes have driven measurable improvement in welfare outcomes in participating countries
Publishing farm-level welfare data enables consumer, retailer, and policy accountability

Welfare Considerations

Benchmarking is a powerful tool for welfare improvement because it converts abstract standards into measurable performance indicators with real commercial consequences. The expansion of welfare benchmarking programmes is one of the most promising systemic interventions in farm animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Support retailers and brands that use welfare outcome benchmarking in their supply chains
Engage with farm assurance schemes that publish welfare performance data
Advocate for mandatory welfare outcome reporting in livestock industry regulations