Animal welfare certification requires producers to follow clear guidelines related to nutrition, water availability, housing conditions, environmental management, and animal handling.

These requirements are part of the Certified Humane® standards and help ensure that pigs are raised according to practices designed to support their health, comfort, and overall well-being. In this article, we present 9 key practices required to support pig welfare in certified production systems.

1. Nutrition: healthy and adequate feed

Pigs must receive a balanced diet that provides the nutrients required for their development and different stages of production.

The nutritional needs of piglets, breeding sows, and growing pigs vary, and feed management must consider each animal’s age, weight, and physiological condition.

Beyond providing adequate feed, producers must ensure that food is accessible to all animals. Competition for feed should be minimized, as it can lead to aggression, fights, and injuries. Sows must also be protected from aggression by dominant animals within the group.

Feed may be provided through troughs that allow all pigs to eat at the same time. A space equivalent to 1.1 times the width of the animal’s shoulders is considered sufficient. Producers must ensure that feeders remain clean and functional. Certified Humane® standards require these systems to be checked twice daily.

Feed may also be provided directly on the floor, as long as the area is clean and free from contaminants.

2. Water: clean, fresh, and readily available

Pigs must have daily access to clean and fresh drinking water.

Drinkers must be properly positioned and adjusted to ensure that all animals can drink comfortably. Regular maintenance of water systems is essential to guarantee proper flow and availability.

Lactating sows require continuous access to clean water. Producers must also maintain emergency water supplies to ensure availability for at least 24 hours in case of unexpected issues, such as drought or contamination of the water source.

3. Facilities: safe environments that prevent injuries

Housing facilities must be designed to protect pigs from injuries.

Pens should not contain sharp edges, protrusions, or other structures that could harm animals. Electrical systems must be properly insulated, secured, protected from rodents, and regularly inspected.

The materials used on interior surfaces must be easy to clean and disinfect, helping reduce disease risks and maintain suitable conditions for animal well-being.

4. Environment: neither too cold nor too hot

Environmental conditions must protect pigs from extreme temperatures.

Acceptable temperature ranges vary according to animal weight and production stage. For pigs weighing more than 70 kg, for example, temperatures should remain between 10°C and 25°C.

During warmer periods, producers should adopt measures to prevent heat stress, such as providing cooling areas, mud wallows, natural or artificial shade, fans, sprinklers, drip systems, and misting systems.

5. Air quality: clean and properly ventilated

Proper ventilation is essential to maintain air quality and prevent excessive humidity, as pigs are susceptible to respiratory diseases.

Certified Humane® standards establish limits for ammonia concentration. Levels must remain below 10 ppm and should never exceed 25 ppm. Monitoring and recording of ammonia levels must be carried out regularly, at least once every two weeks.

6. Space: enough room to move freely

Providing enough space is essential for pig welfare, allowing animals to move, rest, and express natural behaviors.

The available space must be at least 1.5 times the area occupied by the animal when lying down. Specific requirements apply to growing pigs and breeding sows.

Confinement and restraint are restricted and may only be used in specific situations, such as veterinary procedures, routine examinations, or facility cleaning.

Producers should also minimize regrouping whenever possible, as changes in social groups can increase stress and aggression.

Environmental enrichment is an important part of pig welfare. Materials such as straw, wood shavings, or sawdust allow pigs to explore, root, and chew, supporting their natural behaviors.

7. Resting area: dry and comfortable

Pigs must have access to resting areas that are dry, comfortable, and large enough for all animals to lie down.

In indoor production systems, resting areas must have suitable flooring and drainage to prevent excessive moisture.

Outdoor systems require additional measures, including access to sheltered areas that protect animals from extreme weather conditions.

8. Farrowing: comfort for sows and piglets

Farrowing is one of the most important stages in pig production, as it involves both the welfare of the sow and the protection of newborn piglets.

Farrowing crates, which restrict the sow’s movement and limit interaction with piglets, are not permitted under Certified Humane® standards.

Sows must be housed in systems that allow greater freedom of movement and provide access to appropriate materials, such as straw, that support natural behaviors.

Before farrowing, sows must be provided with clean and comfortable conditions. They must remain in the farrowing area for at least 28 days after piglet birth, and farrowing pens must meet minimum space requirements of 1.8 m x 2.4 m.

9. Handling: calm and respectful management

Good pig welfare practices require animals to be handled calmly and carefully.

All employees involved in animal handling must receive appropriate training to understand pig behavior and reduce fear and stress during human interaction.

The goal is to ensure that pigs become accustomed to human contact and experience less stress when interacting with farm workers.

During preparation for transport, pigs must have access to water. A fasting period may be recommended to reduce discomfort during transportation, lasting at least four hours and no more than 18 hours before slaughter.

These practices represent only a summary of the broader Certified Humane® standards for pig production. Explore the complete standards and learn more about the practices that support better animal welfare in pig farming.

The first step is understanding that farm animals must be raised without physical suffering, unnecessary stress or environmental discomfort throughout all stages of their lives. This means recognizing that they are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain, fear, discomfort and positive states. In fact, the meaning of animal welfare goes beyond simply providing food and water. It is necessary to understand the specific needs of each species and adapt farms and production systems to meet those needs.

For animals to live well, it is necessary to provide them with:

• A balanced diet with the necessary nutrients for healthy development;
• Ingredients and practices that do not compromise their integrity;
• No use of antibiotics as growth promoters, except when needed for disease treatment under veterinary guidance;
• A suitable place to rest and move safely;
• Adequate access to feed and clean water;
• The opportunity to interact with other animals of the same species;
• A rearing system in which they can express natural behaviors.

Animal welfare seal

Certification is one of the clearest ways for consumers to know that the food they buy comes from animals raised according to recognized welfare standards. The Certified Humane® seal can be found on the packaging of products such as meat – including pork, beef and poultry – eggs and milk, as well as processed products that include certified animal-derived ingredients, such as pasta made with eggs or foods prepared with milk and dairy ingredients.

The work of Certified Humane® is to verify that companies and producers understand animal welfare and comply with the standards of Humane Farm Animal Care. One of its objectives is to help provide better living conditions for farm animals and make consumers aware that they can choose products from brands committed to responsible animal care throughout the production cycle.

Why get certified?

Consumers are increasingly attentive to products that come from production systems where animals are mistreated or kept in inadequate conditions. Certification shows that a product follows recognized standards for the care of farm animals. It can also open the door to a growing market and support greater credibility, efficiency and transparency in production. Producers of meat, including pork, beef, lamb and poultry, as well as eggs, milk and dairy products, can seek certification. Food companies that use certified animal-derived ingredients as raw materials can also apply.

By obtaining certification, companies strengthen their reputation and connect with consumers, retailers, restaurants, hotels and food service companies that value responsible sourcing. Below is the step-by-step process for obtaining animal welfare certification:

• Learn about the standards that must be met;
• Read the HFAC – Humane Farm Animal Care – Standards Manual, which explains the certification process;
• Request the required forms from Certified Humane®;
• After document verification, an inspector visits the production unit to validate the information and confirm that the requirements are being implemented;
• Once all requirements are met, certification is granted;
• The Certified Humane® seal can be used on approved product packaging to show consumers that the producer or manufacturer follows animal welfare standards;
• Each year, the producer receives a new inspection to ensure continued compliance with the requirements.

Consumers must choose certified products

Today, consumers have more information and are increasingly aware of how their choices influence the market. This is why many food companies, retailers, restaurants and hospitality groups have been reviewing their supply chains and seeking products from farms that follow animal welfare standards. The consumer’s role is essential for this change. By rejecting products linked to poor animal treatment and choosing certified options, consumers help encourage better practices throughout the food production chain.

How can you help as a consumer? First, look for and buy products that carry the Certified Humane® seal for animal welfare. Second, if your usual store, restaurant or market does not offer certified products, ask for them. You can also encourage family and friends to choose products that come from farms committed to better animal care.

Animals should not have to suffer. Good practices benefit everyone: consumers, producers, companies and retailers. Objectively speaking, animal welfare means providing animals with the conditions they need to live according to the natural behaviors of their species, with proper nutrition, health, comfort and care.

Visit our educational materials page to learn more about animal welfare and Certified Humane® certification.