Many piglets are castrated without any anaesthetic or pain relief (analgesics), which causes them short and long-term pain and stress. It also leaves the piglets more prone to infection from the open wound with limited immunity at such a very young age. The extra time and cost involved in pain relief means that alleviating piglets’ distress is rarely considered.

In some countries, such as Denmark and Germany, pain relief is now commonly used, but the timing of the injection is important and it should be given at least half an hour before the procedure, which may not be the case in practice. In the Netherlands CO₂/O₂ or Isoflurane is used as an anaesthetic. CO₂/O₂is known to be aversive to pigs, so while it may make them unconscious, it is a very unpleasant experience.

In a minority of countries, such as Sweden and Lithuania, both anaesthetic and pain relief may be used. The use of both pain relief and a non-aversive anaesthetic is important when surgical castration is performed but this mutilation is causing distress to the pigs and risking their health and welfare. Switzerland has banned castration since 2010.

There are alternative practices that ensure castration is avoided completely.

In some countries pigs are reared to a heavier weight so that certain meat cuts or fat content can be produced. This means there is more risk of boar taint because the pigs reach puberty, as well as the welfare risk of them injuring each other. Where rearing entire males is not practicable there is another alternative.

Transport and slaughter

Pigs travel badly and are easily stressed by transport and by pre-slaughter handling. They do not have sweat glands and are particularly susceptible to heat stress during transport. Internationally, significant numbers of pigs die each year in transport or in lairage at slaughterhouses as a result of stress.

There are higher welfare alternatives for pig farming.

Higher welfare alternatives for pigs

There are alternative commercial systems that improve the welfare of pigs by providing a more enriched environment which allows for more natural behaviour.

Housing

Higher welfare indoor systems

Pigs are kept in groups on solid floors with straw or other material for bedding and rooting. Although there is no access to the outdoors, there is greater opportunity for natural behaviour, free movement within the pen or shed, less crowding, conflict, boredom and tail-biting. Deep bedded systems allow foraging and comfort.

Sows may still give birth in farrowing crates, but in the better systems they give birth in huts or pens.