Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1022795425701571 

Understanding the biological basis of aggressive behaviour in pigs is important for improving welfare and managing issues such as tail biting. This interesting study explores a less commonly discussed mechanism: the role of transposable elements (mobile DNA sequences) in regulating genes linked to behaviour. 

The authors investigate how transposable elements may influence gene expression related to neural development and behavioural regulation. These elements can affect how genes are turned on or off, potentially contributing to individual differences in behaviour, including aggression. The study suggests that variation in the activity or location of these elements in the genome could be associated with differences in behavioural traits observed in pigs. 

While this type of research is still at an early stage, it highlights a potential genetic and epigenetic layer underlying complex behaviours. This opens new perspectives for understanding why some animals are more prone to aggression than others, beyond environmental and management factors. 

Overall, the study points toward a more integrated view of behaviour, where genetics, regulation mechanisms, and environment all interact. Such insights could, in the long term, contribute to more targeted breeding strategies and improved management of social behaviour in pigs.

Source: https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/pig-welfare-import-debate-fires-up-online/

 A recent article from Farmers Weekly highlights a growing online debate in New Zealand surrounding pig welfare standards and the importation of pork products. The discussion was sparked by concerns that imported pork may come from production systems with lower welfare standards than those required domestically. Industry stakeholders, farmers, and members of the public have taken to social media to express conflicting views, with some advocating for stricter import regulations to protect animal welfare and ensure fair competition for local producers. Others argue that trade restrictions could have economic implications and limit consumer choice. 

This debate echoes similar discussions within the European Commission, where questions around aligning trade with animal welfare standards have been particularly prominent in relation to beef and sheep sectors, notably in the context of agreements such as the EU–Australia Free Trade Agreement. Together, these debates highlight the broader challenge of balancing open trade with ethical production expectations across different regions.

Source: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70230

Sharing a wild boar study for a change!  A study in 2024 looking at human activity and how this changes pig social behaviour. Studying indoor pigs and wild boar populations is so different! It usually makes me think about how social interactions also differ between them.  

This study looked at how different types of hunting may affect the social lives of wild boars across Europe. Using GPS tracking data from 21 wild boar populations across Europe, the researchers examined contact patterns between pairs of animals and compared periods with no hunting, individual hunting, and drive hunts. They found that drive hunts, but not individual hunts, were linked to lower contact rates within wild boar groups, suggesting that this more intensive hunting method can reduce group cohesion. 

The study did not find evidence that hunting method increased contact rates between different groups. Instead, contact between animals from different groups was mainly explained by how close they were in space, and female–female pairs from different groups were less likely to be in contact than male–male or mixed-sex pairs. Overall, the findings suggest that hunting can do more than remove animals from a population: it can also change their social structure. The authors note that reduced cohesion within groups could affect survival, foraging, and use of resources, and they suggest that management may be able to reduce disruption by spreading drive hunts across space and targeting different groups over time.

A recent big news in Canada is that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) concluded that "PRRS-resistant pigs may now be manufactured or imported in Canada." (From Pig Progress) There are different view points and coverage related to this decision. The FDA approved PRRS-resistant pigs last year in the USA, and the National Pork Board did a survey trying to understand the consumers' perspectives on gene editing. https://view-su2.highspot.com/viewer/882ccf6187fbeef7f202ac0229da89bc#1

Below are a couple of different sources. What is your view on this?

Pig Progress

"Canada approves the use of gene-edited PRRS-resistant pigs" Feb 01

https://www.pigprogress.net/pigs/genetics/canada-approves-the-use-of-gene-edited-prrs-resistant-pigs

Canadian Pork Council releases statement in support of the decision.

"Canadian Pork Council Reaffirms Position on Market Acceptance of PRRS Gene Edited Product"

March 02, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) wishes to confirm its position regarding the potential benefits of gene editing with respect to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

First, Canadian producers are committed to ensuring their herds are as healthy and as safe as possible, and any technology that can help our animals be healthier is one we will support. We are also strong supporters of scientific innovation, and we support the development of tools grounded in science to support herd health. We rely on established animal health and food safety authorities to determine the appropriate regulatory pathway for any new technology, and as the Government of Canada has reviewed and approved this technology, we are prepared to accept it.  

At this time, however, we know we must respect our customers. We know domestic and international consumers will want to educate themselves on this technology, but it is important to note there is no mechanism to track or segregate this product through supply chains. The product is approved from both a food and animal safety lens. Given the labelling challenge, and the need to apply such labels consistently across global markets, we support the work the proponent of this technology is doing to get market acceptance globally.

Any potential adoption will occur, once the product has been accepted by consumers and is available for producers, through normal breeding cycles and within established production practices. CPC remains committed to clear communication, regulatory integrity, consumer confidence, and maintaining strong market access for Canadian producers. 

On the other hand, some other organisations urge caution and clear labelling:

CTV News reports: "Health Canada urged to make gene-edited pork labels mandatory"

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/group-calls-on-health-canada-to-make-labels-mandatory-for-gene-edited-pork/ 

AVMA's (American Veterinary Medical Association) report on AASV's (American Association of Swine Veterinarians) support:

https://www.avma.org/news/fda-approves-gene-editing-tech-creating-prrs-resistant-pigs

"AASV says it supports the responsible use of gene editing technologies to improve the health and well-being of swine under strict safety and ethical standards."

Source: DR – Danish political coverage on pig welfare in election debates
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/folketingsvalg/partier-slaar-et-slag-doede-og-haleklippede-svin-m…

Pig welfare has recently taken an unusually prominent place in Danish political debate, including during high-profile discussions linked to the upcoming election. In a recent televised debate, the current Prime Minister pointed out that around 95% of pigs in Denmark are tail-docked and referred to figures of approximately 25,000 pigs dying every day - bringing a long-standing welfare issue into prime-time political conversation. 

This level of visibility marks a clear shift. Issues such as tail docking, mortality, and housing conditions - traditionally confined to scientific or sector-specific discussions - are now being addressed directly in the political arena. 

However, this increased attention also raises an important question: will it lead to actual change? As highlighted by DR (Denmark’s national public broadcaster and one of the country’s largest media outlets), concerns around pig welfare have been raised repeatedly over the years, yet concrete improvements have remained limited. 

This tension between political visibility and practical implementation reflects the broader challenge facing the sector. While societal expectations around animal welfare are clearly increasing, translating these into effective policies remains complex - particularly in a context where economic competitiveness is also at stake. 

Whether the current momentum will result in meaningful improvements for pig welfare is still uncertain. But one thing is clear: the issue has now moved firmly into the political spotlight.

Hi all, I’m sharing some of the news I saw recently from LinkedIn of the interesting new pig research at different research institutes. Please also feel free to share your latest research with the group! 

1. BOKU university & Wageningen University & Research: pigs in flow 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/animalwelfare-flow-pigs-ugcPost-7379468213312610306-z-eV?utm_source=…

🐷📺 Pigs in flow: towards a new dimension of positive animal welfare 

This study is the world’s first of its kind to explore a new dimension of positive animal welfare rather than attempting to reduce negative aspects such as stress and pain. While extensively studied in humans, the concept of flow is still new in animal welfare science. 

Flow is a psychological state of deep concentration, intrinsic motivation, and absorption in an activity, during which external distractions fade and the individual is fully engaged in the task at hand. This is the focus of a fundamental study on improving the welfare of pigs through introducing tasks that evoke a sense of flow in these animals. 

For this project we are strengthening cross-country collaboration between researchers from BOKU university (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna) and WUR. 

Watch the video and discover how the researchers induce flow in pigs! 

This research is part of a project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme PigWeb, the European Union's Horizon Europe Project EUPHAW and COST Action LIFT. 

2. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: sleep in pigs 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jens-malmkvist-299a2646_phd-opportunity-in-animal-behaviour-are-ugcP… 

PhD Opportunity in Animal Behaviour. Are you passionate about animal behaviour, welfare research, and the fascinating world of sleep?

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is now recruiting a PhD student exploring “Sleep and welfare – with focus on the interpretation of low-arousal states in pigs.” 

Full advertisement and application details: https://lnkd.in/gHp9zZzE 

3. ANSES & INRAE & Wageningen University & Research: positive emotions and disease resilience (by our very own PAROIS Severine!) 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/presentation-exciting-scientific-exchange-share-7440757973196488704-…

Presentation | Exciting scientific exchange at the Adaptation Physiology Group! 

Sarah Ambruosi recently arrived as a guest PhD student working on the link between positive emotions and disease resilience in pigs. During her visit, she had the opportunity to share part of her research on how enrichment affects piglets’ responses to post-weaning diarrhoea, including results from an ETEC challenge study in contrasting housing conditions. This was a great opportunity for inspiring discussions and knowledge sharing across the group during a lunch meeting. 

This work was supervised by Nicolas Rose and Séverine Parois from French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and Elodie Merlot from INRAE and it will contribute to ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare and develop more resilient and sustainable farming systems. 

Next step will be exploring how play behaviour may relate to resilience, in collaboration with Dr. J.E. (Liesbeth) Bolhuis, Allyson Ipema, and Inonge Reimert opening new perspectives on the role of positive emotional states in animal health and welfare. 

Besides these, Goursot Charlotte BLV shared with us earlier an opportunity that FBN is opening to start an on-farm AI tool to assess pig welfare. I am also preparing to start a project this September on alternative farrowing systems to investigate possible future options for Canadian producers! We also have 2 smaller summer projects starting that will investigate brushes for sows as enrichment and music as enrichment for grow-finishing pigs. Please feel free to share your latest research too!