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As of January 1, 2021, castration of piglets in Germany will only be allowed under anesthesia, meaning total elimination of pain. Surgical castration is one of the procedures to ensure that pig meat does not have an unpleasant smell.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, approved the "Ordinance on administering anaesthesia with isoflurane in the castration of piglets by qualified persons" (FerkBetSachkV), with the aim of ensuring the highest level of animal welfare beginning next year. The regulations allow farmers and other qualified persons to apply general anaesthesia with isoflurane. Theoretical and practical experience are prerequisites for the procedure.
The ministry will allocate a total of 20 million euros in 2020 to promote the purchase of anaesthetics, providing financial support to livestock farmers. Farmers can apply for this aid as of February.
To obtain the certificate of competence, the requirements for eligibility must first be met. These include:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a reliable person
- Professional training, relevant degree, or professional experience with piglets
The decree also requires the following:
- A theoretical course
- A theoretical exam upon completion of the course
- Practice under the supervision of a veterinary specialist after the theoretical portion
- A practical exam
January 31, 2020/ BMEL/ Germany.
https://www.bmel.de
