Opinion: Why Pig Movement and Handling Training Matters Now More Than Ever

By Allan Ward, Pig Specialist, Quality Meat Scotland

Having worked in the pig industry for over 42 years, I know how crucial it is that those working with pigs have the skills and confidence to move and handle animals well. Good pig movement and handling is essential—not only for animal welfare, but also for meat quality which in turn improves profitability. High standards of moving and handling pigs also demonstrates our commitment to meeting retailer and consumer expectations.

At Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), my role is to help Scottish pig producers improve efficiency. I manage the provision of AgroVision farm production software which helps pig producers improve production efficiency through analysis reports, action lists and benchmarking. I’m also responsible for our pig health projects and delivery of pig stockperson training courses, so I see first-hand how training can deliver real on-farm benefits.

One of the tools we currently have is the AHDB Pig Movement and Handling Training course. More than 330 Scottish pig stock people have now completed it, and the feedback has been very positive. The course itself is simple to complete, fully online, and takes around 90 minutes. Through a mix of videos, slides, and practical guidance, it covers everything from the benefits of good handling to understanding the challenges and improving facilities.

It’s a requirement for all staff who move and handle pigs on QMS-assured farms to complete the course. QMS has covered the cost for all our producer members, to help make it as accessible as possible.

Most recently we have also hosted in-person training for pig stock people on other relevant topics at three locations – Inverurie, Forres, and Dumfries – to ensure producers across the country have an opportunity to take part in a way that suits them. Courses like these are a great example of how the industry is continuing to raise standards.

Looking ahead, we’ll be issuing a training needs analysis to all Scottish pig producers. We want to understand where further support is needed—whether it’s around technical skills, business management, or health and welfare—and use that insight to shape future training.

One recent participant captured it perfectly:
“The pig movement and handling training was a very useful and informative course. The welfare of our stock is one of our top priorities and this training, which was simple to complete, helps us make sure we are operating to the most up-to-date standards."

Training like this isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about supporting our workforce, protecting welfare, and helping businesses thrive.