A Systematic Mapping of Research on Sustainability Dimensions at Farm-level in Pig Production

Stefan Gunnarsson, Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist, Torun Wallgren, Helena Hansson and Ulf Sonesson
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Stefan Gunnarsson: Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O.B. 234, S-53223 Skara, Sweden
Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist: Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O.B. 234, S-53223 Skara, Sweden
Torun Wallgren: Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O.B. 234, S-53223 Skara, Sweden
Helena Hansson: Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O.B. 7013, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
Ulf Sonesson: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, P.O.B. 5401, S-40229 Göteborg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: We systematically mapped the scientific literature on the sustainability of pig production at farm-level. Sustainability was considered holistically, covering its economic, environmental, and social dimensions, each consisting of a broad range of different aspects that may contradict or reinforce each other. Literature published between January 2000 and March 2020 with a geographical focus on Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand was included. A standard template with predefined keywords was used to summarise aspects of each sustainability dimension covered in identified papers. We found that papers analysing environmental sustainability were more frequent than papers analysing economic or social sustainability. However, there are many different aspects within each dimension of sustainability, hampering comparisons between studies. In addition, each dimension of sustainability has many sides, making it difficult to compare different studies, and different dimensions and aspects may have complex interrelations. Our systematic literature review revealed that these interrelations are not well understood and that possible trade-offs or synergies between different aspects of sustainability dimensions remain unidentified. This systematic mapping of the current literature on farm-level sustainability in pig production can support a more informed discussion on knowledge gaps and help prioritise future research at farm-level to enhance sustainability in pig production.

Keywords: pork; swine; environment; social; economic; animal welfare; ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4352-:d:363024

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