UK Agriculture Bill rewards farmers for animal welfare and greener production
Important legislation to boost productivity and reward environmental improvements in the farming sector.
Page 14 of articles about behaviour-welfare
Using infrared skin temperature to predict stress in piglets
The stress conditions with the highest accuracy in the detection were cold and thirst. Infrared skin temperature is a promising assessment of stress conditions.
Evaluation of EU legislation on farm animal welfare
The EC launches an evaluation, also called the "Fitness Check," of EU legislation on the welfare of farm animals.
Tucked tails? Act fast!
A new, not yet tested material could help mitigate tail biting in growing and finishing pigs.
Free farrowing systems on commercial farms in Denmark and Spain
Confinement is strongly criticised by public opinion and the industry is moving towards innovative housing of lactating sows.
Spain publishes a new guide for the pig euthanasia on farms
Aimed at managers and staff on pig operations, the guide is intended to help make decisions: which animals should be euthanized and which method of euthanasia to use depending on the type of animal.
Enrichment in finishing pigs: Comparing three wood species and a rubber floor toy
Wood appears to be a safe material to use as environmental enrichment for pigs and a softer wood species were preferred by pigs with equal preference for the rubber floor toy.
Russia: pork production increases 10%, prices down
According to the National Union of Pig Breeders, the industry showed significant growth in the first quarter of 2020, continuing the positive trend of 2019.
Effects of long-term gentle handling on behavior, production, and meat quality
Gentle handling of growing pigs could reduce their anxiety and increase intimacy between the pigs and handlers. However, it had little effect on pig performance, carcass quality, and meat quality.
Evaluation of pain and stress in three-week old piglets in relation to route of vaccine administration
A lower frequency of behavioral aversive responses was observed in the intradermal route of vaccine administration group than in the intramuscular group.
Evaluation of the EU strategy on Animal Welfare
The Commission has started an evaluation of the EU Strategy for Protection and Welfare of Animals (2012-2015).
Russia establishes Emergency Operations Center to stop COVID-19 spread
Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev signed the Directive “On urgent measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus infection”
Spain publishes Directorate General for Animal Rights
The Directorate General for Animal Rights will aim to promote policies for the protection of animals and their alignment with European legislation.
Poland: grants for animal welfare
Cattle and pig farmers can apply for a new grant to improve animal welfare.
EU: difficulties in enforcing welfare rules when transporting animals outside EU
Transport within the EU generally preserves the welfare of the animals, however, information indicates that most transports leaving the Union do not meet applicable EU rules.
France: few actions taken to reduce tail biting and avoid tail docking
An audit from the European Commission reveals that few tangible actions have been taken to improve compliance with the provisions of the Pig Directive, and to reduce tail biting and avoid tail docking of pigs.