# Organic Pig Farming in Europe: Pathways, Performance, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda

## TL;DR

This paper examines how organic pig farming in Europe can contribute to UN sustainability goals, finding it has potential but requires policy and innovation to be truly sustainable.

## Contribution

The study provides a critical analysis of organic pig farming's alignment with multiple SDGs and highlights the need for supportive policies and innovations.

## Key findings

- Organic pig farming improves animal welfare and biodiversity but does not guarantee sustainability on its own.
- Environmental and economic performance can be enhanced with better feed sourcing and emissions management.
- Policy support and sustainability metrics are essential for organic systems to contribute effectively to SDGs.

## Abstract

Organic pig farming could be an alternative for more sustainable livestock production, but its interaction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains debated. Present analysis takes a critical perspective on the potential of organic pig farming systems to contribute to SDGs that may include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Drawing on recent studies, we assess the environmental performance, animal health and welfare outcomes, economic sustainability, and social context of pig farming in Europe. The study concludes that organic pig farming alone does not guarantee sustainability, but its practices can inspire innovation when backed by clear policies, practical measures, accurate cost analysis, and robust sustainability indicators. One does not guarantee sustainable livestock production; however, specific elements of organic systems may serve as valuable sources of innovation when reinforced by coherent policies, practical measures, accurate cost accounting, and robust sustainability indicators. Organic pig farming, while not inherently sustainable, has the potential to become a model for the European livestock sector’s transition toward the 2030 Agenda.

Organic pig farming in Europe is endorsed as a promising route to more sustainable livestock production, but its ultimate contribution to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a contested matter. This study takes a critical perspective on the potential of organic pig farming to contribute to SDGs that may include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Organic farming systems delivered better animal welfare outcomes and positive benefits for biodiversity, soil health, and rural employment. Continued improvements in sourcing feed, greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product, animal health, and market could improve their contributions to agricultural sustainability. This study concludes that organic pig farming does not represent a guarantee of sustainable livestock production, but it could represent credible sources of sustainable livestock innovation if sufficient policy, practice, cost accounting, and sustainable metrics are organized together to support organic systems. Organic pig farming focused on innovation and policy support can make it a role model for the transition of European livestock sector towards the 2030 Agenda.