Animal category: Pigs

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1734 of 16 July, 2026, amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing as regards the authorisation of non-penetrative captive bolt stunning and nitrogen high expansion foam

EU Commission

Published in 2026

Regulatory text from the EU authorizing two new methods of stunning prior to slaughter for additional categories of animals

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

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Is organic livestock farming more welfare-friendly than conventional livestock farming? – A systematic literature review in terms of animal health, welfare, and management

Wagner, K., March, S., Haager, D., Brinkmann, J.

Published in 2026

Meta-analysis showing that organic farming does not consistently have a more positive effect on animal welfare than conventional farming. The results would appear to indicate that  factors relating to management have a greater influence on animal welfare than the farming system itself.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, All Animals, Poultry

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Quality of in-vehicle temperature data collected by competent authorities as part of animal welfare inspections during the long-distance transport of pigs: a Danish case study

Herskin MS, Toft-Petersen E, Krogh MA

Published in 2026

A study revealing significant heterogeneity and major gaps in the temperature data collected during long-distance transport of pigs, limiting their usefulness for assessing the pigs’ welfare. It highlights the need to standardize data collection and the associated metadata.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Balancing the Animal Affective Scales – Can the Methodology of Human Affect Balance Be Applied to Other Sentient Species?

Laura E. Webb, J. Elizabeth Bolhuis, Viktor Jurkovich, Allyson F. Ipema, Matteo Chincarini, Angélique Favreau-Peigné, Björn Forkman, Caroline Clouard, Frank Tuyttens, Heather Browning, Laura Menchetti, Margit Bak Jensen, Özkan Elmaz, Radka Šárová, Robert Głogowski, Sandra Düpjan, Stefania Celozzi, Walter Veit, Céline Tallet

Published in 2026

Concept article proposing to adapt the concept of affective balance, based on the balance between scales of positive and negative emotions, to the integrated assessment of animal welfare..

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, All Animals, Poultry

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Teaming Up for Animal Welfare: A Cross-Institute Approach to Identify Robust Indicators of Emotion in Pigs

I. Reimert, G.A. Franchi, M. Bagaria, L. Canario, J. Elizabeth Bolhuis, S. Düpjan, E. Verbeek, E. Fàbrega, L.J. Pedersen, H. Telkänranta, A. Eggert, L.R. Moscovice

Published in 2026

Study of 124 sows across four facilities confirming that locomotor play and escape attempts are reliable indicators of short-term emotional valence. Ear position also appears to be a promising measure. Whereas cortisol levels reflected both valence and arousal, oxytocin did not vary consistently across contexts. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Motivational factors and financial incentives to mitigate tail biting in pig production in Finland

Väre M, Koskikallio H, Heinonen M, Tuominen-Brinkas M, Munsterhjelm C, Valros A, and Niemi JK

Published in 2026

Survey of Finnish pig farmers on measures intended to reduce tail-biting. With economic losses of up to approximately €32 per pig affected by tail-biting, the study shows that farmers are motivated in particular by financial incentives but also by a desire to improve animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Financing the Transition to Cage-Free Farming in the EU

Godfroy, A., Muro, M., Nadeu, E., Wedl, I., Jadzisnka, J.

Published in 2026

Report providing a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the financing options for the transition to cage-free livestock farming systems at EU level, drawing on scientific data, an analysis of European policies, national case studies, and interviews with industry experts.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

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Évaluation de l’impact du PSN sur le bien-être animal-rapport final

EY

Published in 2026

Evaluation of the National Strategic Plan (PSN) from the perspective of animal welfare (BEA), covering the years 2023 and 2024—the first two full years of implementation of the CAP National Strategic Plan (PSN). Analysis of the contribution of CAP interventions to animal welfare, as well as their consistency and complementarity with other relevant measures.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Invited Review: Precision Livestock Farming Technologies in Swine Intensive Production

Giovanni Buonaiuto, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Simona Belperio, Chris Sanzò, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2026

Scientific synthesis of the use of precision farming technologies, including the use of sensors, automation, and artificial intelligence, to improve monitoring and management in pig farming. It focuses on technologies to monitor health, optimize feeding, control microclimates, and assess pig welfare. It sets out the benefits and limitations of these technologies for intensive pig farming.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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Vibrations and driving conditions inside a pot-belly trailer and their effect on pig behavior during transport

Conte S, Devillers N, Crowe TG, Zhang QY, Yan X, and Faucitano L

Published in 2026

Study showing that vibrations vary in different parts of a trailer and affect the balance of transported pigs. No simple relationship between vibration levels and behaviors emerged, though, suggesting that several factors are in operation.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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