My pigs are ok, why change? – animal welfare accounts of pig farmers

Intensive pig production systems are a source of stress, which is linked to reduced animal welfare and increased antimicrobial use. As the gatekeepers animals under their care, farmers seen as stakeholder responsible for improving welfare. The aim this study was explore knowledge attitudes towards impact such on farmers' selection management strategies farm. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 44 in one main producing regions Brazil. Interviews covered sentience behaviour welfare-related issues commonly observed intensive farms (belly-nosing, fights, tail-biting, diarrhoea castration without pain control) conception identified many animal-based indicators poor welfare, use painful stressful practices environments that limit expression natural behaviours. However, most were satisfied standards at farms. Farmers' perceptions aligned understanding Although they all dimensions farm (affect, biological functioning naturalness), social reality, industry demands available advice pushed them perceive range action limited environmental aspects do not necessarily benefit affective state. This precluded from making associations between good health animal's ability express full behavioural repertoire, well viewing abnormal behaviours problems. negative consequences alleviated by routines relied constant medication, including high dependence antibiotics. Expressions estrangement chain common voices among participants. suggests may be sufficiently informed or engaged responding consumers' expectations commitments made companies, can pose severe economic risk farmers. findings indicate economic, technical factors restrict autonomy perform role stewards (Re)connecting different human, interests step changing scenario.