The OneWelPig project is focused on creating a better, more sustainable way to raise pigs. This work is guided by the ‘One Welfare’ idea, which is simple: the health and happiness of animals, people, and the environment are completely linked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the OneWelPig project?
The OneWelPig project is an initiative focused on creating a more sustainable and ethical method for raising pigs. It explores farming systems where pigs have regular access to the outdoors as a viable alternative to intensive farming.
What is the “One Welfare” approach?
“One Welfare” is the guiding principle of the project. It recognises that the health and happiness of animals, people, and the environment are completely interconnected.
What is the ultimate goal of the research?
The goal is to identify the practical challenges of large-scale outdoor pig farming and create a successful “roadmap” for the Irish pig industry to adopt these systems.
What is the OneWelPig map?
The map illustrates the pig farms that participated in the OneWelPig study. Some of these farms have farm shops or sell directly to the public.
Why is outdoor access important for pigs?
Pigs evolved in woodland, and a key part of their natural behaviour is foraging for food. Pigs housed indoors are still highly motivated to search for food, even though they are typically fed at least twice a day. Unfortunately, highly motivated feed-related behaviours can lead to damaging behaviour such as tail biting in barren or unenriched indoor housing.
What is enrichment?
Enrichment aims to support the expression of highly motivated behaviour to improve animal welfare. There are five types of enrichment: feeding, occupational, physical, relational and sensory. In pig farming, a good example of feeding enrichment is to provide free access to hay or cut grass throughout the day, to enable the pigs to express highly motivated feed-related behaviours.
What is agroforestry?
Raising pigs in a woodland area is an example of agroforestry.
What is high-welfare pig meat?
There are several well-known ways of assessing animal welfare e.g. Welfare Quality (Good Feeding, Good Housing, Good Health and Appropriate Behaviour), which simply means keeping pigs in a way that benefits their health and allows them to express highly motivated behaviours, and reduces the risks of harms such as pain, injury and disease.
Where can I buy high welfare pig meat?
Use the OneWelPig map to find a supplier of outdoor pig meat, or ask your local butcher or retailer.