Document type Article published by Chambre d'Agriculture Bretagne
Author : Chambre d'Agriculture Bretagne
Preview: Applying regulatory requirements to livestock farming is not always easy, as official texts can sometimes be understood in different ways, leaving room for interpretation and divergent approaches. Pork trade organizations, in conjunction with government departments, have developed a number of tools to answer questions from farmers and their advisors, in the form of frequently asked questions on welfare and advice sheets.
Frequently asked questions on the welfare of pigs
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about pig welfare aims to provide practical answers to questions raised by farmers, producer groups and government departments concerning the implementation of animal welfare regulations. In particular, the FAQ provides answers for the implementation of the decree of February 24, 2020 concerning the provision of manipulable materials, access to water and feed. The FAQ is managed by the Brittany Regional Chamber of Agriculture. A working group is responsible for providing answers to questions raised in the field. It is made up of representatives of professional organizations (Inaporc, FNP, La Coopération agricole, Ugpvb, Chambers of Agriculture), Ifip, pig producer groups, veterinary organizations Sngtv and Avpo, and the administration. The FAQ is national in scope. It has no regulatory status. Its purpose is to provide, on an ongoing basis, elements of interpretation of the regulations, agreed between the administration and the profession, in order to harmonize the message in the field. The most recent version is authoritative and replaces all previous versions. It is published on the CRA Bretagne website. This is currently version 3, published in February 2024.
Advice sheets on the welfare of pigs
A series of sheets, drawn up in consultation with professional and technical organizations, set out the pork industry's commitments to promoting animal welfare. These sheets complement the welfare FAQ section. The sheets on watering present the results of a study carried out by the Chambre d'agriculture de Bretagne, with financial support from the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Recording of bite cases on pig farms
On pig farms, the practice of routine tail docking is considered a regulatory non-compliance. Each farmer must be able to explain how risk factors for bites are managed on his farm, i.e. how to prevent them and how to react when they occur, and to record bites in order to justify the practice of docking. A "monitoring" observation sheet for bites on farms has been drawn up by professional and technical organizations. This sheet reflects the pork industry's commitment to animal welfare, and is an additional tool to support farmers by technicians from professional organizations. The presentation of these sheets can be adapted by breeders or professional organizations, for example by integrating them into the strip sheets. Completed forms should be kept in the livestock register, as they may be requested as proof during official inspections.
Link to pdf file from Chambre d'Agriculture de Bretagne, The Pork Team, Bilan 2023 - Projets 2024
