Farm Animals

Pig Welfare Science: Future Research Priorities

A review of the most important unresolved research questions in pig welfare science, with implications for future policy and practice.

Key Facts

Positive welfare indicators for pigs remain underdeveloped compared to negative welfare measures
The welfare implications of genomic selection for production traits need further investigation
Pain assessment tools validated for pigs are being developed but remain limited in clinical use
The welfare of outdoor pigs in extreme weather conditions is understudied

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare science has advanced substantially but significant gaps remain. Research into positive welfare, pain assessment tools, and the welfare implications of genetic selection are among the highest priorities for the field. Closing these gaps will enable more evidence-based policy and practice.

What You Can Do

Support research organisations working on pig welfare science priority areas
Engage with academic welfare science literature to stay informed about emerging findings
Advocate for research funding bodies to include animal welfare as a priority research area