Rooting and exploration are fundamental behavioural needs of pigs. Evidence consistently shows that rooting material reduces aggression, stereotypies, and tail biting while improving welfare.
The failure to provide adequate rooting material to pigs in intensive housing systems is one of the most significant preventable welfare problems in modern pig farming. Without suitable rooting substrates, pigs redirect exploratory behaviour toward pen mates, causing tail biting outbreaks, injury, and chronic stress. Straw-bedded systems show consistently lower rates of tail biting, aggression, and stereotypic behaviour. The welfare case for mandatory high-quality enrichment is overwhelming and well-supported by published research.