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Pioneering report finds ‘high level of pig welfare’
“This is a truly ground-breaking report, which is the result of the pig industry’s desire to obtain a real picture of the welfare of pigs of our farms".
AHDB project looks at science-based welfare indicators
 
A ground-breaking new welfare report has found evidence of high levels of welfare and stockmanship in the British pig industry.

The voluntary AHDB Real Welfare project is the biggest study of its type anywhere in the world, covering nearly 5.5 million pigs over a three-year period. It focused on the objective science-based indicators of animal welfare, rather than the environment in which animals are kept.

In the years Real Welfare has been in operation, all measures of physical injury except tail damage (which was already low) have fallen, according to the report.

Other key findings include:
  • Only 0.07 per cent of pigs were identified as needing to be moved to a hospital pen for special treatment and, on more than three-quarters of farms, no pigs required hospitalisation
  • Just 0.18 per cent of non-hospitalised pigs were lame and, on more than three-quarters of farms, no pigs were lame
  • Only 0.14 per cent of pigs had severe tail damage and, on more than three-quarters of farms, no pigs had severe tail damage
  • 70 per cent of pigs had their tails docked, lower than in most other European countries where tail docking is permitted
  • 62 per cent of pigs had access to substrate, most of which was straw, and 32 per cent of pigs had access to objects

Commenting on the report, Zoe Davies, chief executive of the National Pig Association said: “This is a truly ground-breaking report, which is the result of the pig industry’s desire to obtain a real picture of the welfare of pigs of our farms. Overall, the results are very impressive and confirm what we already know about the pride that British pig producers take in ensuring their animals are properly looked after.”

Whilst 70 per cent of pigs had their tails docked, Davies said this figure is far lower than other major pig producing countries, where the level is often near 100 per cent. However, she added: “The industry is committed to continuing to drive further reductions in the number of pigs that have docked tails.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.