THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT ON ANIMAL WELFARE IN PIG FARMING

Abstract

The demands of international markets in relation to animal welfare have increased. The term animal welfare receives different meanings in society. Thus, several debates occur within the scientific community regarding its designation, especially in relation to scientific and productive contexts, including the use of environmental enrichment as a way to improve animal welfare. Animal welfare measures were restricted to certain health, behavioral and physiological indicators. The objective of this study is to identify forms of environmental enrichment aimed at animal welfare in pig farms destined for commercial production. Thus, the type of environmental enrichment used that produces the best overall result in social well-being remains to be elucidated, with new studies that take into account all factors associated with commercial pig production, such as the growth phases in which environmental enrichment must be applied.