Stalls, Crates and Tail-docking Are Back on Europe's Hit-list

May 13, 2015 — 

Pigs have rocketed back to the top of the European Union animal welfare agenda, but this time led by a coalition of member countries rather than the usual vegetarian-cum-welfare lobby groups. Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark have published a position paper calling for Europe's Pig Welfare Directive to be substantially upgraded, including an outright ban on stalls and an eventual ban on farrowing crates. At Monday's Farm Council, the Danes will brief Europe's farm ministers on why Brussels should introduce higher minimum welfare standards. The four-nation axis is demanding:

• A proper ban on sow stalls (four weeks in stalls would no longer be permissible).
• The eventually banning of farrowing crates.
• A ban on unanaesthetised castration by 2018.
• Higher minimum spaces on units where tail-docking is necessary.
• A move from all-slatted to part-slatted flooring.
• Larger openings between slats, so straw can be used in slatted housing. Official guidelines on providing suitable enrichment, including actions to be taken in tail-biting outbreaks.

[Source: Mar. 10 , 2015 , NPA News]