Pig Production Guide

Overview

The British pig industry comprises some 470,000 breeding sows producing just over nine million pigs a year for the food chain. Approximately 92% of pigs are kept on 1,400 modern commercial farms and the rest on some 10,000 small holdings and farms.

The average pig herd size on a modern commercial farm is in the region of 500 breeding sows.

Typically a sow will give birth to 11 piglets in every litter and will have an average of 2.2 litters a year. About 30% of sows are housed in paddocks outdoors with 70% housed indoors. The majority of pigs from both sows housed indoors and outdoors are reared and finished indoors in groups.

Pig farming is one of a few sectors of agriculture that does not receive – and has never received – subsidy payments from the European Union Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Pig production is not affected by the seasons and this ensures a continued supply of British Pork to shoppers. All aspects of UK pig meat production must meet strict welfare rules. British legislation is more exacting than in other EU countries for example sow stalls are prohibited in British pig production.

In addition to welfare legislation, farms representing 92% of pig production are members of a voluntary pig farm assurance scheme. As part of this they are inspected every three months by a veterinarian and annually by an independent inspector. Assurance schemes contain standards on pig husbandry, welfare, traceability and food safety that exceed UK legislation e.g. castration of male pigs is prohibited. To find out more about assurance click here.

Maintaining high levels of pig health and welfare is essential to ensure good pig breeding and growth rates. Pig farmers operate very strict control procedures to minimise the risk of infection. To find out more click here.