PIG WELFARE IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37000/abbsl.2025.116.10Keywords:
animal welfare, industrial pig farming, technology, housing, feeding, European integration.Abstract
The article presents an analysis of transformational processes related to ensuring pig welfare under conditions of industrial farming technology. Pig production in Ukraine is of strategic importance for both national food security and gross domestic product. Under the current challenges to national security, pig farming is a key factor for the country’s resilience, while at the same time representing a high-risk sector in terms of sustainable business operations. The introduction of changes in livestock production standards poses a significant challenge, which can only be overcome through close cooperation between producers, government, and scientific institutions.
The European integration process, aimed at aligning national legislation with EU requirements on animal welfare, is a major priority for both the Government of Ukraine and the pig production sector as a whole. These issues are crucial in preparing Ukraine for EU accession, as they constitute part of the legal framework of the Acquis communautaire, Chapter 12 – “Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy.”
The study identifies the main aspects of optimizing technological processes in industrial pig production in accordance with animal welfare principles. Ensuring animal welfare under industrial conditions is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of livestock production and an essential step toward EU membership. The implementation of these requirements in production processes improves herd health status and, consequently, the economic efficiency of production, since high stress levels and poor housing conditions negatively affect five key factors: growth performance, reproduction, behavior, immunity, and meat quality.
Future research will focus on optimizing technological solutions for the allocation of different sex and age groups of pigs within production facilities, ensuring compliance with welfare requirements, and creating an environment conducive to the expression of natural pig behaviors.
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