Document type : Newsletter of the European Reference Centre for the Welfare of Pigs (EURCAW-Pigs)
Summary : - 'The first ten minutes are the hardest'.
From today onwards, the personal story of an inspector will feature in each edition of the newsletter. In this edition, Pieter (55) from the Netherlands tells us about his experiences as an inspector on pig farms.
- Indicators to monitor the welfare of group-housed sows
In the recently published review on group housing and mixing of sows, EURCAW-pigs suggests animal-based indicators that inspectors can use to monitor the welfare of group-housed sows. The indicators are described in seven indicator factsheets.
- Having an eye for what pigs need and acting quickly on what is observed are vital for pig welfare
This was the general conclusion in the last regional meeting organized by EURCAW-Pigs. Several animal welfare issues were discussed.
- Inspections to quantify sows' welfare status in group housing systems
Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 states that pregnant sows must be housed in groups from four weeks after service until one week before the expected time of farrowing - Indicators to monitor the welfare of group-housed sows
