France: Founding of a National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare
Managed by the INRA, this centre, by virtue of the Law on the future of agriculture, is a key measure of the Action plan for animal welfare started by the Minister in April 2016.
Page 30 of articles about behaviour-welfare
Pig carcass tail lesions: the influence of record keeping through an advisory service and the relationship with farm performance parameters
This study provides the first indication that record keeping through an advisory service may help to lower the risk of tail biting, which is associated with improved farm performance.
CASTRUM study on alternative methods of anesthesia and analgesia for the castration of pigs
The CASTRUM study shows large differences in practice in European countries.
Ear tagging in piglets: the cortisol response with and without analgesia
Ear tagging causes a dramatic increase in cortisol levels compared with handling alone in piglets, which suggests that this procedure causes substantial distress.
USA: Supporting organic integrity with clear livestock and poultry standards
USDA announced a final rule regarding organic livestock and poultry production practices. The rule strengthens the organic standards, and ensures that all organic animals live in pasture based systems utilizing production practices that support their well-being and natural behavior.
Germany is working on animal welfare labelling
Labelling on animal welfare is expected to be launched in 2018, starting with pork.
USDA develops program to assess animal welfare standards and programs
Agricultural Marketing Service developed a program under which it will offer assessments.
Food companies are paying increased attention to farm animal welfare
Now in its fifth year, the BBFAW provides an annual review of how 99 of the world’s leading food companies are managing risks and opportunities associated with farm animal welfare.
Animal Welfare: the Commission adopts the creation of a Platform
The Commission adopted the creation of an expert group on animal welfare to be called the Platform on Animal Welfare.
Facts and figures on organic agriculture in the European Union
The organic pig sector still holds a very minor share in the EU pig market.
France approves video surveillance at the abattoirs
After the disclosure, last year, of several videos filmed with a hidden camera at abattoirs where animal abuse was seen, the Ministry of Agriculture started the relevant investigations that have lead to the sanctioning of this new law.
Canada: Pork research cluster gets $1.8M in new investment
New research will address the issue of sow housing and improved living conditions for both sows and piglets.
Assessment of pre-slaughter feed withdrawal strategies and the effects
Based on the results of this study, the pre-slaughter feed withdrawal before slaughter affects behaviour and meat quality in pigs.
Does group size have an impact on welfare indicators in fattening pigs?
Body weight and feeding system are determining factors for the welfare status, while group size was not proved to affect the welfare level under the studied conditions of pig fattening.
The private life of pigs
How sensitive is a pig's nose? Why can they find truffles underground? How do piglets find the right teat to feed from? Pigs are very intelligent, but can they recognise themselves in a mirror?