Page 48 of articles about behaviour-welfare

While there have been certain improvements in getting better compliance in the pig sector, in particular regarding manipulable material, overstocking, and care for sick animals and concerning enforcement, have not been fully addressed and require action. As a result of the lack of mortality and medicine records, the CA cannot adequately verify the care of sick animals.

This directive provides new instructions for inspection program personnel to ensure that treatment of livestock during handling and slaughter minimizes the animal’s amount of excitement, pain, injury or discomfort.

Preparatory work for the future development of animal based measures for assessing the welfare of weaned, growing and fattening pigs including aspects related to space allowance, floor types, tail biting and need for tail docking.

Preparatory work for the future development of animal based measures for assessing the welfare of sow, boar and piglet including aspects related to pig castration.

As of July 1 the Dutch government will only recognize the QLL quality system (Quality system Livestock Logistics) for transport and centers for animal collection, meaning that the use of all other certification systems will be abandoned.

Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) has announced a call for proposals for its 2011-2012 Good Husbandry Grants. The Good Husbandry Grants program has funded nearly 100 projects across the country to improve farm animal welfare.

Arable farmers are being urged to bale all available straw this year, as the National Pig Association (NPA) warned of serious straw shortages for pig farmers. Pig-keepers are already paying record prices for straw and there are worries that there will not be enough to go round.