Animal category: Pigs

Review of the scientific literature to determine the extent to which regenerative farming systems are or are not associated with positive One Welfare outcomes. It reveals that articles mainly associated animal welfare with animal health, human welfare with the financial situation of the farm and the farmer's self-awareness, and environmental conservation with soil improvement. It shows that processes affecting human welfare and environmental conservation can also affect animal welfare.

Scientific review of the main effects of factors, both before and during transport, that influence piglet response to transport stress and recovery after transport. These include the causes of heat stress, vehicle characteristics (ventilation type and deck location), available space, animal densities, and journey duration, as well as piglet genetics and age at weaning.

Article presenting the results of a participatory harmonization approach to the provision of an evaluation framework for life cycle assessments of current and future livestock systems. It integrates animal welfare and Adaptation of the animal to the environment into the measurement of the environmental impacts of livestock systems and products.

This article presents a method to estimate the external costs of farm animal welfare and thereby help decision-making for the development and adoption of more welfare-friendly production systems. It includes  a calculation for the relationship between animal welfare scores and the costs of animal welfare measures on farms. It has been tested and validated on a dairy cattle farm, a pig farm and a poultry farm.

Answer to a question on the European Commission's plans to provide financial support for the installation of free-range accommodation for sows, and on the introduction of mirror clauses to protect European livestock farmers from competition from third countries with less stringent animal welfare standards.

Answer to a question concerning the date of publication of the assessment of Member States' national action plans for the prevention of routine tail docking in pigs, the decisions taken by the European Commission to ensure compliance with the regulatory ban on tail docking in this species, and the measures envisaged in the event of breaches of the regulations.

Publication of the papers given at the Agronomic Innovation Forum "Bien-être animal : faire se rencontrer attentes sociétales et professionnelles" (encounter between societal and professional expectations) held on May 5, 2022 at the VetAgro Sup veterinary campus in Lyon.

Review of current animal transport practices in the European Union and possible actions to improve the account taken of the welfare of transported animals.

Answer to a question concerning the fact that the Greek border of Kakavia continues to be used as an exit point for live animals from the European Union (EU) even though it is not recognized as such, and asking whether any sanctions have been taken by the EU against Greece.

Scientific literature review of publications that consider the impact of livestock systems on both the environment and animal welfare. It shows that environmental impact assessment using life cycle assessment (LCA) has a much more consistent, standardized and thorough methodology than animal welfare assessments. It concludes that research is needed to integrate animal welfare assessment into LCA.