The OneWelPig project is focused on creating a 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.
We are comparing different pig farming methods, especially those where pigs are kept outdoors, to see how well they meet modern expectations for welfare across all three areas. Detailed information has been gathered from these farms, everything from pig behaviour and health to farmer income and the quality of the soil and local biodiversity. This data will help us objectively measure the environmental and social impact of these systems.
A major focus is testing agroforestry, raising pigs among trees, for the first time in Ireland and using computer models to understand how switching to this system affects farm output. Our ultimate goal is to determine the practical challenges of raising pigs this way on a large scale, and then create a successful blueprint for the Irish pig industry to move toward systems that give pigs regular access to the outdoors. This shift will develop a viable alternative to intensive farming, creating a more resilient food supply chain, helping the local environment, and allowing farmers to earn a better living by offering premium, high-welfare pork.