Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th December 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Pig industry 'should move away from farrowing crates'
pig
Confinement aims to protect piglet life but also reduces sow mobility.
Government opinion report calls for change
 
The pig industry should replace traditional farrowing crates with free farrowing systems, according to a recent 'opinion' report by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC).

For the past 50 years, the UK's indoor pig industry has been reliant on the close confinement of sows during the farrowing and lactating period. Systems for doing so without confinement have only recently been commercially adopted.

The aim is to protect piglet life by reducing the amount of crushing, as sows weigh around 150 times that of their offspring. It also makes sows and litters easier to handle and improves safety for stock people.

However, this may conflict with sow welfare as it reduces mobility and prevents normal behaviour such as nest building.

According to FAWC's report, nest building is an important behaviour, but is not possible in many confined farrowing systems.

Farrowing crates have already been banned in Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Other European countries are developing and marketing free farrowing systems and there is interest in Australia and the US.

A number of commercial producers and smallholders in the UK have installed free farrowing systems. Some assurance standards, such as RSPCA Assured, require sows to be able to turn around freely at all times.

The 1965 Brambell Report on livestock welfare envisaged confinement of a few days, but this has extended to a few weeks (covering the whole farrowing and lactating period).

In its report, FAWC recommends a change in the way sow accommodation is viewed and considered, reflecting this change in management practices. It also calls for a review in five years' time, at which point legislation to phase out crates could be considered.

FAWC also recommended that producers increase direct supervision during farrowing and the post-farrowing period, to reduce piglet mortalities.

Read the full report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farm-animal-welfare-committee-fawc-opinion-on-free-farrowing-systems

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.