EFSA issues recommendations to improve pig welfare
The opinion describes a total of 16 welfare impacts in different housing systems, which EFSA's experts consider to be highly relevant due to their severity, duration and frequency. These include movement restrictions, group, heat or cold stress as well as persistent hunger or thirst. For each welfare impact, the opinion also describes corresponding animal-related indicators and hazards that affect welfare.
The opinion includes measures that should be taken to prevent or remedy hazards and to mitigate the particularly severe welfare impacts. EFSA's experts make a number of detailed recommendations, including suggestions on the quantitative or qualitative criteria needed to answer specific questions on the welfare of breeding pigs raised under the European Citizens 'Initiative' No Caging'were raised. Other issues covered in the tail-biting recommendations include space, manipulative materials, weaning and the practice of mutilation. EFSA's experts also suggest which animal-related indicators could be collected in slaughterhouses to monitor animal welfare levels on pig farms.
The assessment follows a methodological guide to be used when assessing animal welfare risks, including livestock and animal transport. The guidelines are based on scientific findings and expert opinions.
This is the first in a series of scientific opinions on farm animal welfare requested by the European Commission as an essential part of its Farm to Fork strategy. It provides a scientific basis to support a European Commission legislative proposal to be presented in the second half of 2023 as part of the review of animal welfare legislation.
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