Animal category: Pigs

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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Exploring the relationship between whole carcass condemnations and farm animal welfare: A rapid scoping review

Christine Kuo, Emma G. Gardner, Murray Gillies, Marianne I. Parent

Published in 2026

Literature review showing that data on carcass rejection at abattoirs can serve as an indirect indicator of animal welfare, but studies remain largely European and focus primarily on poultry. Their main focus is on links between animal health status on farms and carcass rejection, whereas research on other welfare factors (diet, housing, behavior, transport) is limited.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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A Pig’s Tail: How Europe Is Moving Beyond Routine Tail Docking

The Animal Law Foundation

Published in 2026

Report analyzing why the docking of pigs' tails, while banned as a routine practice, remains common in the United Kingdom compared to other European countries

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

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Animal Board Invited Review: Intrinsic hedonic value, complexity, and possibility for action as essential characteristics of a welfare-friendly environment for animals

I. Veissier, C. Terlouw, R. Botreau, V. Deiss, S. Cowie

Published in 2026

Study examining how the hedonic value of the environment determines animal welfare. Welfare depends on a balance between positive emotions, environmental complexity and opportunities for behavioral expression: these factors must be optimized (rather than maximized), since an excess or a deficiency of any one of them can be harmful to welfare, with the optimal level varying by individual.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Integration of computer vision-based behavioral monitoring and machine learning to enhance precision in health and welfare monitoring systems in pig farming

Eddiemar B. Lagua, Hong-Seok Mun, Md Sharifuzzaman, Md Kamrul Hasan, Ahsan Mehtab, Jin-Gu Kang, Young-Hwa Kim, Chul-Ju Yang

Published in 2026

Study showing that computer vision and machine learning are effective in detecting stress-related behaviors in pigs. The models perform very well (especially in binary), but the precise detection of certain states still needs improvement.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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