European Union: animal transport rules must be properly enforced
EU member states must do more to improve the welfare of animals in transit by enforcing rules, checking journey times and imposing dissuasive penalties on offenders.
Page 42 of articles about behaviour-welfare
Spain: new provisions for the adaptation of pig farms to welfare legislation
The conditions to be met by producers who have not completed the process of adapting to the new regulations for accomodating breeder sows are established.
Current situation of the castration of piglets in Europe
The European Declaration on alternatives to the castration of pigs is a declaration that is a voluntary agreement in which, for the first time, the European swine farmers have manifested a proactive stance with the aim of presenting a solution, from the swine sector, to a social demand.
UK: Real Welfare update
'Real Welfare' audits are going to be incorporated into the assurance scheme.
Effect of local anaesthesia and/or analgesia on pain responses induced by piglet castration
Lidocaine reduced pain during castration and that meloxicam reduced pain after castration.
ConAgra Foods supports eliminating gestation stalls for sows and creating traceability systems within the pork supply chain
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.
Hillshire Brands Company to eliminate stall use from 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.
Science before legislation
In the U.S., the individual gestation stall for sows is being banned based on perception, not science, and that has Janeen Salak-Johnson, a University of Illinois associate professor in animal science, looking for answers as what is best for the sow from a welfare standpoint. In fact, she believes the decisions being made on the legislative front are premature and could possibly put sows in a welfare compromised situation.
Optimizing individual and group housing systems based on indicators of sow well-being
High fiber diets reduce stress markers in group housing gestating sows.
Atlantic Premium Brands announced plans to eliminate pig gestation crates
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.
Sales boost expected after stalls ban
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.
Positive pig welfare outcomes
The Board of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork has adopted welfare indicators to be assessed in all relevant projects.
Temple Grandin: Animal Behavior and Welfare
Temple Grandin, an animal welfare expert and designer of livestock facilities, lectured at Kennedy Hall Feb. 24 during her last visit to campus as a Rhodes Class of '56 Professor. Grandin, who has autism, has spent her career figuring out what frightens pigs and cattle.
Germany: castrating piglets without anaesthesia will be banned
The Federal Agriculture Ministry lays down a time schedule for phasing out the practice of castrating piglets without anaesthesia: accordingly, this method is to be banned throughout Germany as of 1 January 2017.
Progress for pigs in 2012
A surge of fast-food giants, pork producers, and grocers move to phase out gestation crates for pigs.
EU: Presidency work programme in the agriculture and fisheries sectors
The agricultural policy priorities of the Presidency will include the new animal health law.