Understanding the EU Directive on the Welfare of Pigs

The European Union (EU) has established rules to ensure that pigs are treated humanely on farms. These rules are detailed in the Council Directive 2008/120/EC, which sets out minimum standards for the protection and welfare of pigs. Let's break down what this means for pig farming in the EU.

Why These Rules Exist

The directive is rooted in the understanding that pigs, as living creatures, have specific needs that must be met to ensure their well-being. The rules aim to:

1. Protect pigs from being kept in conditions that cause unnecessary suffering.
2. Standardize pig farming practices across the EU to prevent unfair competition.
3. Promote animal welfare by providing pigs with an environment that allows them to exhibit natural behaviors.

Key Provisions of the Directive

Space Requirements:

• Pigs must have enough space to move around, lie down, and stand up naturally. The exact space required depends on the pig's weight. For example, a pig weighing more than 110 kg should have at least 1 square meter of unobstructed floor space.

Housing Conditions:

• Floors must be smooth and non-slip to prevent injuries. If slatted floors are used, the slats must meet specific width requirements to support the pigs properly.
• Pigs must be kept in groups where possible, as they are social animals. However, aggressive pigs or those needing special care can be housed individually if necessary.
• Pregnant sows and gilts (young female pigs) must be kept in groups, except during the critical periods around farrowing (giving birth). Farrowing pens must be designed to protect piglets from being accidentally crushed.

Feeding and Water:

• Pigs must be fed at least once a day, and those kept in groups must have simultaneous access to food to avoid competition.
• All pigs over two weeks old must have constant access to fresh water.

Environmental Enrichment:

• Pigs need to engage in investigatory behavior. To satisfy this need, they must have permanent access to materials they can manipulate, such as straw, hay, or wood.

Health and Hygiene:

• The environment must be clean and adequately maintained to prevent disease. Pregnant sows, in particular, must be treated for parasites and kept clean.

Painful Procedures:

• Procedures that cause pain, such as castration, tail-docking, and tooth-clipping, are heavily regulated. These procedures should only be done when absolutely necessary and by trained individuals, often with the use of anesthesia and pain relief if the pig is older than a certain age.

Training and Inspections:

• People who work with pigs must receive proper training on these welfare standards. Farms are subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with the rules.

Special Provisions for Different Categories of Pigs:

• Boars: Boars (male pigs) must have pens large enough to allow them to turn around and engage in natural behaviors.
• Sows and Gilts: They must be given nesting material before farrowing and must be kept in conditions that allow for natural or assisted farrowing.
• Piglets: Must be kept in warm, comfortable conditions, and early weaning is only allowed under specific circumstances to protect their health.

Continual Improvement:

• The directive encourages ongoing research and updates to the rules as new scientific knowledge about pig welfare emerges.

Conclusion

The EU Directive 2008/120/EC is a comprehensive set of rules designed to ensure that pigs are treated with respect and care throughout their lives on farms. By adhering to these standards, the EU not only promotes better animal welfare but also ensures that pig farming remains sustainable and humane. This directive reflects the EU's commitment to balancing agricultural practices with the ethical treatment of animals.

For anyone involved in pig farming within the EU, understanding and implementing these rules is not just a legal obligation—it's a crucial part of ensuring the well-being of the animals in their care.

[Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/120/oj ]