Improving welfare in pig fattening systems is often approached through single measures: more space, better feed, or added enrichment. But how effective are these interventions when applied in isolation?

In this webinar, we will explore how different aspects of the production system interact to shape pig welfare in practice. Drawing on recent research, I will discuss how commonly proposed solutions can lead to both improvements and unexpected challenges, depending on how they are implemented. What happens when we improve one aspect of the system but not the others? Can well-intended changes create new problems? And how can we design strategies that lead to more robust and sustainable improvements? 

The webinar will provide insights into these questions and discuss what this means for future farming practices, policy, and advisory work. 

Key messages:

• Space matters, but how it is implemented matters just as much: increasing space can bring clear welfare benefits, but its effects depend on how it interacts with feeding strategies and overall management.
• Welfare improvements require an integrated approach in practice: space, diet, enrichment, and management need to be combined rather than applied in isolation. 
• Addressing root causes is key: long-term welfare improvements come from tackling underlying issues (e.g. crowding, lack of stimulation), rather than relying on quick fixes that only manage the symptoms.