Expanding Awareness: Pig Welfare Across the Industry
While many people are becoming aware of CO₂ stunning practices, this is only one part of a much larger system. Pigs may experience stress, discomfort, or suffering at multiple stages of their lives—from breeding and housing, through transport, and ultimately at slaughter.
Understanding the full picture allows for more informed choices, deeper compassion, and meaningful advocacy.
Transport: Stress, Injury & Exhaustion
Transport is widely recognised as one of the most stressful periods in a pig’s life.
Key welfare concerns include:
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Handling stress: Loading and unloading can involve fear, rough handling, and unfamiliar environments
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Mixing unfamiliar pigs: This often leads to fighting and injury
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Temperature extremes: Pigs are highly sensitive to heat and can suffer heat stress or dehydration
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Long journeys: Associated with fatigue, hunger, thirst, and motion stress
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Overcrowding: Restricts movement and increases injury risk
Scientific assessments have identified multiple welfare risks during transport, including:
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Heat stress
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Injuries
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Prolonged hunger and thirst
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Restricted movement
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Sensory overload and fear
Research also shows pigs can experience:
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Elevated stress hormones
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Increased heart rate
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Weight loss and dehydration
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Even mortality during transport (in some cases)
More information:
EFSA Pig Transport Welfare Summary
Australian Pig Transport Guidelines
Breeding & Housing: Confinement and Restriction
Modern pig production systems can include practices that raise welfare concerns, particularly around breeding sows.
Common issues raised by welfare organisations:
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Farrowing crates:
Mother pigs (sows) are often confined in narrow metal enclosures during and after giving birth-
Prevents turning around
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Limits natural maternal behaviour
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Lack of enrichment:
Pigs are intelligent and curious animals, yet environments may lack stimulation
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Restricted movement:
Limited ability to walk, root, or explore
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Injury and untreated illness:
In some systems, injuries or illness may go unnoticed or untreated
Animal welfare standards emphasise that pigs require:
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Freedom of movement
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Social interaction
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Ability to express natural behaviours
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Protection from distress and injury
More Information
Victorian Pig Welfare Standards & Guidelines (PDF)
Slaughter Conditions: Stress in Final Stages
The final stage of a pig’s life can involve multiple stress points:
Before slaughter:
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Holding in unfamiliar environments (lairage)
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Exposure to noise, smells, and other distressed animals
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Continued effects of transport stress
Stunning and slaughter:
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CO₂ stunning is widely debated (See separate page)
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Concerns include:
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Panic and distress before unconsciousness
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Handling methods leading into stunning systems
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Research highlights that:
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The entire slaughter process—including transport and handling—can be highly stressful
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Welfare outcomes depend heavily on staff training, handling methods, and facility conditions
Recent reporting in Australia has also raised concerns about:
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Injuries and lameness on arrival
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Delays in inspection after transport
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Emergency euthanasia due to welfare issues
More Information
Pigs Suffering in Factory Farming - FOUR PAWS in Australia - Animal Welfare Organisation
Why This Matters
Pigs are widely recognised as:
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Highly intelligent
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Social and emotionally responsive
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Capable of experiencing fear, stress, and comfort
When multiple stressors are combined—housing, transport, and slaughter—the cumulative impact on welfare can be significant.
Take Action: Petitions & Advocacy
If you feel called to support change, here are current advocacy pathways and petitions focused on pig welfare. Petitions in this space change frequently. If a link is no longer active, searching terms such as *‘pig welfare petition’, ‘ban farrowing crates’, or ‘pig slaughter reform petition’ on platforms like Change.org will show current campaigns.:
Australia & International Campaigns
Improve transport conditions and journey limits
Sign the Petition | Pigs Without Borders — Animal Liberation | Compassion without compromise
World Animal Protection – Farm Animal Welfare Campaigns
Stop Cruel Live Animal Transport | FOUR PAWS
Ban or phase out farrowing crates
Petition · Ban Farrowing Crates and Sow Stalls in Western Australia - Australia · Change.org
Petition · Ban Farrowing Crates - Let Mother Pigs Care for Their Babies - United States · Change.org
When people understand what pigs may experience, where welfare challenges exist & how systems can improve…it creates space for more conscious choices, compassionate conversations, and meaningful change.