Animal welfare aspects of good agricultural practice pig farming. Part 1 of 3
Natural behaviour, development of intensive pig farming, space and foraging needs of pregnant sows, avoiding aggression in pregnant sows.
Page 48 of articles about behaviour-welfare
EU animal welfare strategy
Some delegations pointed out the need for measures to ensure global competitiveness of EU operators vis-à-vis third countries that do not apply the same standards on animal welfare.
European Union: a new Animal Welfare Strategy Paper
The European Commission adopted a new four-year strategy (2012-2015) that aims to further improve the welfare of animals in the European Union.
Playing with pigs
The Playing with Pigs project is researching the complex relationship we have with domesticated pigs by designing a game. Designing new forms of human-pig interaction can create the opportunity for consumers and pigs to forge new relations as well as to experience the cognitive capabilities of each other. The game is called Pig Chase.
Pen size for pigs
Production manuals and legislation often give recommendations as to the minimum space requirements for each type of animal. There are many sources where we can find information about the minimum requirements to ensure animal comfort. But, what is the optimal number of animals to put in a pen? Is there a magic number? There is not as much documentation on this topic.
European Union: welfare of animals during transport
The Council was briefed by the Commission on a report on the impact of regulation 1/2005 on the
protection of animals during transport (16798/11). Several delegations welcomed the report, saying that they would look forward to the follow-up to this report.
Denmark: status on 2013 legislation
Research undertaken in 2010 indicated that 70% of Danish producers now comply with EU legislation effective from January 2013, which will ban the use of traditional stalls for pregnant sows.
Belgium: Status of sow stall conversion
Just under 36% of Flemish sow farms have so far converted, with an additional 13% having plans to do so.
European Union - Animal Welfare: protection during transport improved but more needs to be done
The protection of animals during transport has improved but the report also highlights a series of problems hampering further improvement in the transport conditions of these animals.
Genetic and environmental effects on piglet survival and maternal behaviour of the farrowing sow
One of the key components of survival in alternative, loose-housed farrowing systems is maternal behaviour and understanding the characteristics of sows that influence survival in such environments should be an essential component when developing new breeding indices.
Individual piglets' contribution to the development of tail biting
This study aims to quantify the development of tail-biting behaviour at pen and individual piglet level, before and after the first visible tail damage.
Spain: the Commission calls on to address deficiencies in animal welfare
The European Commission called on Spain to take action to address deficiencies in the implementation of EU legislation on the welfare of animals at the time of slaughter.
Effects of tryptophan supplementation on aggression among group-housed gestating sows
Tryptophan supplementation does not reduce aggression in sows at mixing, but increases litter size at farrowing.
Belgium renounces castration without anesthesia
The National Federation of Belgian meat (FEBEV), has decided to abandon the practice of surgical castration of pigs without anesthesia starting in 2012.
Portugal: FVO final report on the implementation of controls for animal 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.
USA: USDA announces directive to improve humane handling enforcement measures to ensure consistent treatment of livestock
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.