Pig farming today stands at the intersection of demands that are sometimes seen as conflicting: meeting the demand for animal protein, ensuring a high level of animal welfare, and reducing the sector’s environmental footprint. A study published in Sustainability in 2025 offers an integrated perspective on these challenges, linking welfare, sustainability, and circular bioeconomy.
A production framework under pressure
The swine sector is facing three major developments :
- Increased societal expectations regarding farming conditions.
- An environmental imperative related to emissions, resource use, and waste management.
- A need for economic resilience in a context of raw material volatility.
The authors of the study emphasize that “next-generation” sustainability can no longer be separated from animal welfare, which is now recognized as a full-fledged dimension of responsible production.
Animal welfare: An increasingly structuring pillar
The cited scientific studies highlight several persistent issues: gestating sows confined during pregnancy, neonatal mutilations, heat stress, challenges related to early weaning, and abnormal behaviors (stereotypies, tail biting).
Several improvement levers have been identified:
- Alternative housing systems, notably free-farrowing pens that allow the expression of maternal behaviors.
- Environmental enrichment (manipulable materials, bedding), a key factor in reducing frustration-related behaviors.
- High fiber diets, limiting feeding frustration in restricted sows.
- Tools for monitoring behavior and health (sensors, video, AI) enabling early detection of problems.
According to the study, the challenge is no longer just to reduce stress factors, but to promote access to positive experiences, a significant paradigm shift.
Measuring to act : LCA as a management tool
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is identified as the most comprehensive method for evaluating the environmental impacts of swine production “from field to farm.”
It highlights three major points:
Feed is the primary source of impact.
The cultivation of raw materials (soy, corn) accounts for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and energy consumption.
Manure management is crucial
Poorly managed, it contributes to acidification and eutrophication of the environment. Valorization solutions therefore appear to be strategic.
The performance of farming systems must be evaluated holistically
Changing one component without considering the others can shift impacts rather than reduce them.
Circular bioeconomy: an opportunity to transform the model
The study highlights the potential of the circular bioeconomy to reduce dependence on virgin resources and turn by-products into valuable resources. Several promising avenues stand out:
Manure anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion produces biogas, which can be used for heating, electricity, or biomethane, while also reducing the volume of waste. The digestate serves as an organic fertilizer that can be applied in agriculture.
Wastewater treatment with microalgae
This process purifies water while producing biomass that can be used as a food or energy ingredient. Its value lies in recovering nutrients (N, P) instead of releasing them into the environment.
Alternative feed ingredients
Several by-products show documented potential: rapeseed meal, brewers’ grains, bakery by-products, algae, and microalgae. Results indicate levels of incorporation possible without performance loss. Remaining limitations include availability, nutritional variability, and regulatory constraints.
Agro-biorefining and new protein sources
Research is exploring the valorization of plant biomass (alfalfa, grass) to extract leaf proteins usable in monogastric animals. This approach could reduce dependence on imported soy.
A model change to be built collectively
The researchers emphasize that the sustainability of the swine sector is not limited to technical and economic aspects. The social dimension (citizen expectations, working conditions, maintaining farms in rural areas) remains poorly evaluated and should be incorporated into future work.
Several conditions are considered essential for progress:
- Dissemination of knowledge and training of farmers in new practices.
- Targeted investments to facilitate the adoption of technologies (anaerobic digestion, housing equipment, waste treatment).
- Harmonization of regulatory frameworks to support circular approaches.
- Dialogue with consumers, whose perceptions can either accelerate or slow down the transition.
In conclusion:
Pig farming is entering a phase of structural transformation. Integrating animal welfare, environmental assessment tools, and circular bioeconomy solutions opens strong prospects for a more resilient model. The authors stress the need to combine scientific innovations, field-based approaches, and political support to accelerate this transition.
Source:
Sossidou E. N., Banias G. F., Batsioula M., Termatzidou S.-A., Simitzis P., Patsios S. I., Broom D. M.
Modern Pig Production: Aspects of Animal Welfare, Sustainability and Circular Bioeconomy, Sustainability, 2025.
