Page 6 of articles about behaviour-welfare in Press releases

It is a tremendous challenge to reach a balance that is good for the animals, achievable by producers and sustainable for the future, in a way that also addresses market needs and expectations.

Put 160 focussed pork producers, advisors, equipment manufacturers and researchers together for a total of three days to discuss improving sow welfare with group housing systems and you’ll generate varied views, some challenges and maybe some solutions.

Innovations combine welfare needs of sows and piglets with efficient production techniques.

Tyson Foods, Inc. announced it is launching a program to personally audit the treatment of animals at the livestock and poultry farms that supply the company.

ConAgra is asking their pork suppliers to present actionable plans by 2017 that address both the elimination of gestation stalls and creation of traceability systems within the pork supply chain.

Though Hillshire Brands does not raise pigs, the company’s plan is to source all pork from suppliers who use housing that provides the animals the opportunity for adequate movement and comfort, while also ensuring their safety.

Atlantic Premium Brands Ltd. announced, with the support of The Humane Society of the United States, plans to eliminate controversial pig “gestation crates” from its supply chain.

Yorkshire-based international pig genetics company, ACMC, is expecting sales of its AC1 gilt and grandparent stock to increase substantially next year after the new welfare codes come into force in mainland Europe.

The Board of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork has adopted welfare indicators to be assessed in all relevant projects.

A surge of fast-food giants, pork producers, and grocers move to phase out gestation crates for pigs.

Since February, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Cracker Barrel, and Denny’s have announced that they will eliminate gestation crates from their supply chains, as have Kroger and Safeway, the nation’s top two supermarket chains, and Compass Group, the world’s largest food service company.

The goal of McDonald's ten-year plan, is to source all pork for its U.S. business from producers that do not house pregnant sows in gestation stalls by the end of 2022.

A low-cost solution for pig producers who have slat gaps that do not comply with EU regulations.

Our own Animal Welfare Council member, Dr. Temple Grandin, has noted the need for a well thought-out and thorough plan to successfully undertake a transition of this magnitude.

Consumer demand is increasing the need for transparency across the pork supply chain. To help promote the importance of pig welfare at slaughter, RL Consulting has developed a new, online pig welfare training course.

Welfare will continue to be a big issue in the pig industry and genetic selection for improved efficiency and ethics are not necessarily antagonistic to ethical production. Genetic selection can improve welfare and increase production ethically, Ed Sutcliffe told a Yorkshire conference organised by international pig-breeding company ACMC.