Animal category: Pigs

Social behaviour of the domestic pig and its importance for animal welfare on farms

C. Clouard-Mésange

Published in 2025

Review summarizing current knowledge on pig social behaviors, the impacts of farming practices on these behaviors, and avenues for research to improve  conditions on farms.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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Balancing culinary excellence with ethical responsibility: A scientific perspective on animal welfare in gastronomy

Anastasio Argüello, Marta González-Cabrera, Antonio Morales-de la Nuez, Lorenzo E. Hernández-Castellano, Manuel Betancor-Sánchez, Noemí Castro

Published in 2025

Study analyzing animal welfare issues along the full length of the food chain, from breeding and rearing to culinary preparation. It highlights ethical tensions, innovations (lab-grown meat, plant-based alternatives, insects) and regulatory gaps. It proposes a roadmap to integrate animal welfare science into culinary training and promote the sustainable and responsible enjoyment of food.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Crustaceans, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

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Change the world farm by farm: The moral care of audit and the paradox of animal welfare inspection in Europe

Mc Loughlin

Published in 2025

Scientific article noting that European veterinary inspectors face a moral dilemma between official standards and the industrial reality of animal welfare during their inspections. Their power is limited, and they have to arbitrate between compliance, benevolence and systemic constraints.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002054/2025: Fairness in the application of the new European animal welfare rules in the specific context of eastern Europe

Question: Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Parliamentary question on new EU animal welfare rules that risk penalizing small farms in Eastern Europe. The Commission is planning a proportionate approach that takes account of structural differences, with appropriate financial support. Harmonization is intended to avoid distortions of competitiveness in the single market.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Pigs, Poultry

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001752/2025: Prosecution of infringements of the Transport Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations

Question: Marianne Vind (S&D). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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Regional Platform on Animal Welfare for Europe - Annual report - 2024

Regional animal welfare platform for Europe / WHOA

Published in 2024

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) European Regional Platform on Animal Welfare, created in 2013, supports all 53 European countries in the progressive implementation of WOAH standards, notably in the realms of transport, slaughter, management of stray dogs, animal welfare during emergencies caused by extreme natural events, and working equines. Since 2024, it has been putting its fourth action plan into operation, which responds to the needs of member countries and the results of an external evaluation.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Modern Pig Production: Aspects of Animal Welfare, Sustainability and Circular Bioeconomy

Sossidou EN, Banias GF, Batsioula M, Termatzidou S-A, Simitzis P, Patsios SI, Broom DM.

Published in 2025

Study analyzing the sustainability challenges for modern pork production seeking to combine animal welfare, minimal environmental impacts and circular bioeconomic principles. It highlights the role of innovative farming systems, sustainable management practices and life cycle assessment (LCA)  in reconciling productivity and respect for the environment.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001516/2025: Compliance with the directive on the welfare of pigs

Question : Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), Günther Sidl (S&D), David Cormand (Greens/EFA), Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA), Anthony Smith (The Left), Maria Noichl (S&D), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Replying to a question from a group of MEPs on the systematic docking of pig tails, which is widely practised in almost all Member States despite its ban since 1994, the European Commission asserts that its efforts to improve the implementation of this ban continue, via the mutual sharing of good practices, the evaluation of national action plans, and the examination of options for monitoring, including procedures to deal with non-compliance. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Porcines

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Implementation of the European directive on pig welfare: A comparative study of four member states

J. Kuenzler, C.S. Vogeler

Published in 2025

Comparative study showing disparities in the application of EU regulations on pig welfare. For example, Denmark and Germany adopt stricter standards than France and Spain, in line with their political and societal priorities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Deck height did not affect behavioural measures of 'natural movements' and 'adequate ventilation' during 8 h and 23 h transport of weaner pigs

Cecilie Kobek-Kjeldager, Line D. Jensen, Leslie Foldager, Marianne Kaiser, Karen Thodberg, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

Study evaluating the effect of different bridge heights on the behavior of weaned pigs transported over 8 to 23 hour trips. The results showed no significant impact of height on behavior, unlike other variables such as microclimatic conditions, vehicle speed or journey time, highlighting the complexity of interactions affecting welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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