Pigs

In this fact sheet: Pig Production & Welfare, Disease, Slaughter, References

There are 4.4 million pigs in the UK, of which 362,000 are used for breeding(1). Pigs are reared primarily for bacon, ham, pork and sausages. Over 70% of pigs in the UK are reared under very intensive conditions, being closely confined indoors for their entire lives(2). 

Pigs are highly inquisitive, social, intelligent animals which originally lived in woodlands, foraging for nuts, seeds, roots and grubs. They will not soil their resting area and the myth that pigs are somehow dirty comes from their wallowing in wet mud. As pigs do not sweat they do this to cool down in hot weather (also protecting them from sunburn) and to rid themselves of pests and irritations.

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