The 2025 edition of the European Symposium for Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) was held in Bern, Switzerland, from 21-23 May, 2025. The symposium’s keynote presentations were built up around the “five freedoms of animal welfare”, thus celebrating the 50 years’ anniversary of the concept. A refreshing choice away from hardcore veterinary contents, to connect veterinarians with ideas and thoughts from a wider welfare perspective.