The launch of the course is particularly relevant in light of recent legislative changes: from January 1, 2026, new requirements for the welfare of farm animals during housing have come into force in Ukraine. Therefore, producers need not only to understand the regulatory provisions but also to know how to practically implement these standards in the day-to-day operations of pig farms.
The training helps participants develop a comprehensive understanding of pig welfare as an essential component of sustainable and responsible production. In particular, participants will learn how to interpret behavioral, resource-based, and clinical welfare indicators, assess housing conditions, and prepare for inspections.
Target audience
The course is designed for:
- pig farm workers and managers;
- farm veterinarians;
- inspectors from competent authorities;
- teachers and students of agricultural specializations.
Course structure
The training program consists of five modules covering the key aspects of pig welfare:
- fundamentals of animal welfare and preparation for audits;
- proper feeding of pigs;
- appropriate housing conditions;
- good animal health;
- natural behavior.
What participants will gain
After completing the course, participants will:
- understand the modern concept of pig welfare;
- be familiar with Ukrainian legislation and welfare assessment criteria;
- learn how to evaluate housing conditions and animal health;
- recognize signs of stress, pain, hunger, and behavioral disorders;
- gain practical skills in preparing pig farms for inspections;
- learn best management practices to improve animal welfare.
Industry experts leading the course
The training is delivered by industry experts:
- Vitalii Bashynskyi, a specialist in veterinary medicine, biosecurity, and animal welfare, who shares practical experience in preparing production facilities for inspections.
- Oksana Yurchenko, an expert in pig farm biosecurity and animal welfare with extensive experience in international livestock projects.
Access and certificate
The course is completely free of charge, and all learning materials — including video lectures and assignments — are available at any convenient time. Participants only need internet access.
After successfully completing all assignments, participants receive a certificate of completion.
The course is available on the AgriAcademy learning platform:
https://courses.agriacademy.org/courses/course-v1:FAO+PigWelfare+2026Q1/about