Ref. Ares(2018)162648 - 10/01/2018
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Health and food audits and analysis
F2 - Animals
Grange,
SANTE.F2
Subject: Clarifications on request for Action Plans to improve controls on the prevention of
tail-biting and avoidance of tail-docking
Dear Member State Representative,
You recently received a letter from the Deputy Director General (DDG) of DG Health and Food
Safety on Actions to prevent tail-biting and reduce tail-docking of pigs. The letter requested
Member States to prepare concrete Action Plans to improve controls on the prevention of tail-biting
and avoidance of tail-docking so that these measures will be in full compliance with the relevant
legislative provisions by the end of 2018.
I would like to stress again, that the measures the Commission services expect Member States to
take are aimed at ensuring compliance with the basic legal requirements laid down in Directives
98/58/EC and 2008/120/EC. One of these basic legal requirements is that where injuries to tails/ears
are recorded and necessitate the need for tail-docking, improvement measures must be undertaken
to work towards the avoidance of tail-docking.
During the recent DG SANTE meeting in Ireland (28-30 November 2017) on rearing pigs with
intact tails in the EU the discussions showed that participants were not fully clear on what the
Commission services were looking for in these Action Plans.
Therefore, I attach below some indications of what the Commission services expect from these
plans as a minimum. Action plans should provide clear objectives and deadlines by end January
2018 stating how compliance with the Directive, taking into account the four points in Annex I, will
be achieved during 2018.
For your convenience, we are suggesting a template you could use to submit the required Action
Plan (Annex IV). It contains the suggested minimum requirements.
Action plans should be submitted no later than 30th January 2018 to:
sante-consult-
xx@xx.xxxxxx.xx.
Yours faithfully,
Enc: Annex I:
Minimum requirements for Action Plans
Annex II:
Examples of compliance criteria
Annex III:
Examples of improvement measures beyond legal minimum requirements
Annex IV:
Action Plan Template
European Commission, Grange, Dunsany C15 DA39, Co. Meath, Ireland - Office: GRAN
Tel.: direct line (+
, internal n°:
switchboard:
Fax:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTION PLANS
ANNEX I
1.
Drawing up compliance criteria and making them publicly available
Several of the legal requirements of Directives 2008/120/EC and 98/58/EC are related to the
environmental and management risk factors for tail-biting as they are mentioned in the Commission
Recommendation (EU) 2016/336. In order to effectively enforce these legal requirements related to
environmental and management risk factors for tail-biting, Member States must set clear
compliance criteria to enable their inspectors (and the pig-sector) to make a judgement about
whether farms and pig production management comply with the existing law
In addition, Article 3 of Directive 98/58/EC requires that owners or keepers take all reasonable
steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that those animals are not
caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2016/336,
which is underpinned by the requirement in Directive 2008/120/EC that tail-docking is not carried
out routinely, provides guidance on the steps which might be taken on a pig farm to ensure that tail
docking is not a routine procedure. Article 2(b) of this Recommendation also asks Member States to
draw up compliance criteria with the requirements set out in legislation and make them publicly
available.
The following table lists certain legal requirements for which compliance criteria are needed.
However, this does not preclude the use of others (e.g. assessment of compliance with requirements
for age of weaning, daily inspection of animals, mixing of animals) as part of the management of
risk factors.
Table 1
Parameter: Commission
Recommendation
Legal requirements: Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive 98/58/EC
(EU) 2016/336
Enrichment material
“permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material to enable proper
investigation and manipulation activities” (Directive 2008/120/EC Annex I,
Chapter I, 4)
Cleanliness
“a lying area physically and thermally comfortable as well as adequately
drained and clean which allows all the animals to lay at the same time”
(Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 3)
Thermal comfort and
“air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity and gas
air quality
concentrations must be kept within limits which are not harmful to the
animals” (Directive 98/58/EC Annex, 10)
Health status
"sufficient number of staff who possesses the appropriate ability, knowledge
and professional competence” (Directive 98/58/EC, Annex, 1)
“sick or injured animals shall be accommodated in suitable accommodation
with, where appropriate, dry comfortable bedding” (Directive 98/58/EC,
Annex, 4)
"specialised housings (for piglets weaned less than 28 days of age) which
are separated from housings where sows are kept" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
Annex I, Chapter II, C3)
Competition for food
“unobstructed floor area” (Directive 2008/120/EC, Article 3, 1a).
and space
"measures taken to prevent fighting (…) adequate opportunities to escape
2
and hide from other pigs" (Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter II, D 1,
2)
“feeding and watering equipment must be designed constructed and placed
so that (…) the harmful effects of competition between the animals are
minimised” (Directive 98/58/EC, Annex, 17)
"permanent access to a sufficient quantity of fresh water" (Directive
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 7)
Diet
“animals must be fed a wholesome diet appropriate to their age and species
and which is fed to them in sufficient quantity to maintain them in good
health and satisfy their nutritional needs.” (Directive 98/58/EC Annex, 14)
Point 8 of Annex I of Chapter I of Directive 2008/120/EC
"Neither tail-docking nor reduction of corner teeth must be carried out
routinely but only where there is evidence that injuries to sows’ teats or to
other pigs’ ears or tails have occurred. Before carrying out these procedures,
other measures shall be taken to prevent tail-biting and other vices, taking
into account environment and stocking densities. For this reason, inadequate
environmental conditions or management systems must be changed."
Compliance criteria should be measurable, as far as is possible, and support decision-making on
the acceptability of conditions on farm. Such measurable criteria enable inspectors to assess
compliance with legal minimum requirements and therefore provide a solid enforcement basis to
justify the need for corrective measures or sanctions imposed on farmers.
Compliance criteria can be laid down in national legislation or guidelines/instructions for
inspections and should as recommended in Annex II of Commission Recommendation (EU)
2016/336 consist of a combination of animal based and resource based measures.
The fact that Member States may choose different compliance criteria is not in itself problematic in
relation to implementation of the Directive. Whilst binding as to the result to be achieved, the
Directive leaves some discretion to Member States on the choice of appropriate form and methods
of ensuring compliance with these general conditions.
Examples of compliance criteria for several legal requirements related to tail-biting risk factors in
some Member States, Switzerland and Norway and are given in Tables 2-6 of Annex II.
2.
Ensuring farmer risk assessments are carried out
Farmers have primary responsibility in implementing the legal requirements "to take all reasonable
steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care" as required by Directive 98/58/EC and the
specific requirements of Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs. As part of basic
compliance with Point 8 of Annex 1 of Chapter 1 of Directive 2008/120/EC farmers are responsible
for:
Recording/providing evidence of tail/ear injuries
Changing inadequate environmental conditions or management systems.
In this regard, the risk assessment is a logical intermediate step to be able to effectively evaluate the
evidence of tail biting and take meaningful improvement measures in those areas which most likely
lead to tail-biting. Therefore the risk assessment is recommended in Recommendation (EU)
2016/336 and can be used to fulfil the farmer’s responsibility to comply with Article 3 of Directive
98/58/EC and Point 8 of Annex 1 of Chapter 1 of Directive 2008/120/EC.
3
The Commission Recommendation and the Commission Staff Working Document together with
other risk assessment tools (e.g. SchwIP) outlined during the meeting in Ireland on November 2017
provide additional guidance/methodologies on how to do this.
3.
Assessing evidence of tail/ear injuries and changes to environmental
conditions and management systems including stocking density
The compliance criteria mentioned above in point 1 describe the minimum legal standards all farms
must comply with. Farms that continue tail-docking must in addition provide evidence of tail and
ear injuries and take improvement measures to prevent tail-biting.
Even if farms meet the compliance criteria and justify that they still need to tail-dock on a routine
basis because of injuries to tails and ears; the requirements of Point 8 of Annex 1 of Chapter 1 of
Directive 2008/120/EC still apply. This means that improvement measures will need to be taken to
address the deficiencies in the existing management and environmental systems whilst pigs are
tail/ear biting and cannot be reared without resorting to tail-docking. Tail-docking is a proxy
indicator of management failure. Until such a time as tail-docking is not necessary these specific
legal requirements will need to be adhered to and Member States must ensure that farmers " take all
reasonable steps" in this regard as required by Directive 98/58/EC.
Member States must therefore provide guidance for inspectors to assess if farmers comply with the
provisions on tail-docking as laid down in the second paragraph of point 8 of Chapter I of Annex I
of Council Directive 2008/120/EC and the " reasonable steps" which farmers are expected to
follow. This means that clear guidelines should be provided regarding the following questions:
What is sufficient evidence of tail and ear lesions to justify tail-docking and how often
should this be assessed and recorded?
What are sufficient and adequate improvement measures by farmers to change inadequate
environmental conditions or managements systems before resorting to tail-docking of pigs,
and at what frequency should new/additional measures be undertaken?
Improvement measures can be considered sufficient and adequate when they take into account best
practice examples of environmental conditions and management systems which will assist the move
towards avoidance of routine tail-docking.
As mentioned above guidelines should enable inspectors to consistently assess if sufficient and
adequate improvement measures have been taken by farmers. To reiterate, in order to comply with
point 8 of Chapter I of Annex I of Council Directive 2008/120/EC improvement measures must
therefore relate to best practices for the rearing of pigs with intact tails and not to legal minimum
requirements.
This entails the development or adoption (from other sources) of measurable criteria (in addition to
or going beyond the compliance criteria for minimum legal requirements mentioned under point 1
above) to enable inspectors to properly assess progress with regard to risk factors (including but not
only those listed in Commission Recommendation 2016/336). For further clarification practical
examples are given in Annex III.
4
4.
Reviewing the provision of veterinary statements and quality assurance
standards on the need to tail-dock
Commission services have noted during audits and from general feedback from Member States'
stakeholders that the requirements to assess legislative compliance with Point 8 of Annex 1 of
Chapter 1 of Directive 2008/120/EC are, in some cases, being delegated to private practitioners, or
quality assurance standard assessors, instead of being carried out by Competent Authorities.
Ensuring compliance with Directive 2008/120/EC is clearly defined as the responsibility of the
Competent Authorities in Articles 3, 4, 6 and 8.
In addition, the provision of veterinary statements on the need to tail-dock is not always carried out
according to the spirit of the Twelve Principles of Certification of the FVE1.
It is the Commission services' opinion that veterinary statements, or quality assurance requirements,
relating to the need for tail-docking do not always help competent authorities to ensure that the
requirements relating to avoidance of routine tail-docking are implemented correctly.
It would seem timely that whilst Member States are being requested to put in place Action Plans to
improve enforcement of Directive 2008/120/EC that they consider the use of statements supplied by
non-Competent Authority bodies and how these interact and influence their own official controls.
If veterinary statements or adherence to quality standard requirements are to be retained as part of
the documentation supporting a Competent Authority assessment of the need to tail-dock they
should provide all the necessary evidence with regard to evidence of tail and ear biting and
individual farm risk assessment and improvement measures (taken in the past and planned for the
future). Notwithstanding this, it is worth restating that ensuring compliance with Directive
2008/120/EC is clearly defined as the responsibility of the Competent Authorities in Articles 3, 4, 6
and 8.
1 http://fve.org/news/position_papers/veterinary_profession/fve_98_053_certif_principles_en.pdf
5
EXAMPLES OF COMPLIANCE CRITERIA
ANNEX II
Examples of compliance criteria for several legal requirements related to tail-biting risk
factors in some Members States, Switzerland and Norway
This Annex gives, in Tables 2-5, examples of how some Member States Switzerland and Norway
have set compliance criteria and guidance to inform their pig producers, and enable their inspectors,
to know what is suitable to meet these (or comparable) legislative requirements.
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2016/336 (in its Article 2(b) asks Member States to draw up
compliance criteria with the requirements set out in legislation (i.e. not only the parameters below)
and make them publicly available.
This document aims to assist Member States in this process by providing examples of possible
compliance criteria they could utilise or that could assist them in developing their own. Please note
that the compliance criteria mentioned below are merely a compilation taken from national
legislation as well as guidance documents from the respective countries.
Table 2
Parameter
Legal requirements
(Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive
Recommendation
98/58/EC
(EU) 2016/336)
ENRICHMENT
“permanent access to a sufficient quantity Following criteria are evaluated: Type of material used, the
MATERIAL
of material to enable proper investigation amount of material, whether it is constantly available and
and manipulation activities” (Directive how often it is added.
2008/120/EC Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
For example, for materials like straw, hay, wood, sawdust,
peat, the amount should be sufficient for pigs to be able to
form boulders/heaps. If it is not possible (e. g. because of the
blockage of the manure removal system), the pigs should
have continuous access to a variety of objects (balls, wood,
natural rope, chains, etc.) which should be varied as often as
possible.
In addition to these objects other materials like hay,
newspapers, etc. should be offered at least twice a day for
pigs to satisfy pig chewing and rooting needs.
CLEANLINESS
“a lying area physically and thermally At least two-thirds of the floor area for slaughter piglets,
comfortable as well as adequately drained fattening pigs and breeding pigs shall be on a solid base or
and clean which allows all the animals to such a floor level, slatted floor or other perforated floor, for
lay at the same time” (Directive which the drainage portions represent a maximum of 10% of
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 3)
the area.
There is a prohibition on fully slatted floors for all buildings
by 2027. All new and renovated buildings from 2012 must
comply with these requirements.
HEALTH
"sufficient number of staff who possesses Available space reserved for hospital or separation pens must
STATUS
the appropriate ability, knowledge and account for at least 5% of the total space requirement for the
professional
competence”
(Directive total number of animals kept in pig holdings.
98/58/EC, Annex, 1)
The design and facilities of the hospital pen must be
“sick or injured animals shall be appropriate and the increased need for heat, softening or bed
accommodated
in
suitable caused by illnesses or injuries should be taken into account.
accommodation with, where appropriate, There is a separate guide to the treatment and euthanasia of
dry comfortable bedding” (Directive sick and injured pigs.
98/58/EC, Annex, 4)
6
"specialised housings (for piglets weaned
less than 28 days of age) which are
separated from housings where sows are
kept" (Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I,
Chapter II, C3)
COMPETITION “unobstructed floor area” (Directive Minimum requirements for unobstructed flooring for
FOR FOOD
2008/120/EC, Article 3, 1a).
slaughtered piglets, fattening pigs and breeding pigs per pig.
AND SPACE
"measures taken to prevent fighting (…) Pig weight (kg) Floor area (m2 / animal)
adequate opportunities to escape and hide
< 10 kg: 0.15 m2
from other pigs" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
Annex I, Chapter II, D 1, 2)
10-95 kg: 0.17 + (weight kg / 130)
“feeding and watering equipment must be
95-107 kg: 0,90 m2
designed constructed and placed so that
(…) the harmful effects of competition
107-130 kg: 1,00 m2
between the animals are minimised”
>130 kg 1.20 m2
(Directive 98/58/EC, Annex, 17)
The unobstructed floor area must allow the animal to stand
"permanent access to a sufficient quantity and move unhindered. Floor surfaces where feeders, or other
of fresh water" (Directive 2008/120/EC, structures prevent the use of floor space below are not
Annex I, Chapter I, 7)
included in the floor area but are deducted from the available
area.
The minimum requirements for the length of the feeding
trough (cm / pig) are laid down in national legislation:
Length of feeding tray for pigs per pig
Pig weight (kg) Feeding edge length at least (cm / animal)
<25 kg: 15 cm
25 – 50 kg: 25 cm
> 50 kg: 30 cm
The number of drinkers is not provided for in basic
legislation, but the inspection assesses, on a case-by-case
basis, whether water is constantly / adequately available.
Legislation on construction has minimum requirements for
water supply and the number of drinking places (see below)
and the number of feeding spaces.
Water Provision
If premises are being renovated and construction subsidies
are being sought, legislation (Ministerial decree) on the
number of drinkers per pen applies as follows: In a yard or in
a group of pigs, there should be one drinking space or nipple
per 10 pigs and at least two drinking points for each group.
The suckling piglets in the farrowing unit must have one
nipple drinker or bowl for every twenty piglets.
Table 3
Parameter
Legal requirements
(Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive
Recommendation
98/58/EC
(EU) 2016/336)
ENRICHMENT
“permanent access to a sufficient Enrichment materials must be rootable.
MATERIAL
quantity of material to enable proper Assessment is done on the basis of the DFVA guidelines that
investigation
and
manipulation provide elaborate guidance on suitable materials, distribution
activities”
(Directive
2008/120/EC and quantity. The guidelines include a table of suitable
Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
enrichment and rooting materials, numbers of objects
(wooden logs, ropes) to be provided to a certain number of
pigs and instructions on how enrichment materials must be
7
distributed in the pen. Materials must be natural, chains and
plastic toys are not considered to be suitable enrichment
materials.
Bedding is required for pregnant sows and gilts in groups.
CLEANLINESS
“a lying area physically and thermally Part of the floor must be solid or drained (no more that 10%
comfortable as well as adequately openings)
drained and clean which allows all the In pens for weaners, breeding and slaughter pigs at least 1/3
animals to lay at the same time” of the unobstructed available floor area must be solid or
(Directive
2008/120/EC,
Annex
I, drained or a combination thereof
Chapter I, 3)
In pens only used for weaners at least ½ of the unobstructed
floor area must be solid or drained or a combination thereof
THERMAL
“air circulation, dust levels, temperature, Pens for weaners above 20 kg, breeding stock and finishers
COMFORT
relative
air
humidity
and
gas must have a sprinkling system or similar devices for
AND
concentrations must be kept within regulating the animals' body temperature.
AIR QUALITY
limits which are not harmful to the For gilts, dry sows and pregnant sows kept in groups a
animals” (Directive 98/58/EC Annex, misting system must be installed, by which their body
10)
temperature can be regulated
HEALTH
"sufficient
number
of
staff
who On all pig farms, a sufficient number of hospital pens must be
STATUS
possesses
the
appropriate
ability, available and you must as a minimum always have one
knowledge
and
professional hospital pen ready for use
competence”
(Directive
98/58/EC, The design of the hospital pen must fulfil the below criteria:
Annex, 1)
Soft bed in 2/3 of the minimum area. The soft bed
“sick or injured animals shall be
may be constituted by a soft rubber mat or sufficient
accommodated
in
suitable
amounts of straw to prevent direct contact between
accommodation with, where appropriate,
the animal and the floor;
dry comfortable bedding” (Directive
All hospital pens must have a heat source and a
98/58/EC, Annex, 4)
cooling facility;
"specialised
housings
(for
piglets
There must be no draught in the pen;
weaned less than 28 days of age) which
are separated from housings where sows
Stocking density in hospital pens should be about
are kept" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
half of normal stocking density.
Annex I, Chapter II, C3)
Guidelines for inspectors provide elaborate guidance on sick
and injured animals, including which pigs are required to be
in a hospital pen
Table 4
Parameter
Legal requirements
(Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive
Recommendation
98/58/EC
(EU) 2016/336)
ENRICHMENT
“permanent access to a sufficient Litter must have correct qualities and be given in such
MATERIAL
quantity of material to enable proper quantities that the pigs' behavioural needs and comfort needs
investigation
and
manipulation are satisfied.
activities”
(Directive
2008/120/EC Litter for pigs should contain material that the pigs can root
Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
in, examine and chew. When rearing in conventional
farrowing crates, litter should also provide a protective bed
for sows and piglets during the piglets' first week of life.
During the week before farrowing, sows and gilts must have
access to litter that enables them to carry out nest-building
behaviour.
The manure removal system in housing sections with
conventional farrowing crates should be adapted for handling
large quantities of litter.
For vacuum manure removal systems, the manure pipe
diameter must be at least 300 mm. In addition, the system
must be designed and managed to prevent air flowing into the
8
housing via the manure removal system.
CLEANLINESS
“a lying area physically and thermally Resting areas must be kept clean and dry and adapted to the
comfortable as well as adequately animal species and housing climate (thermal comfort).
drained and clean which allows all the During the cold season, resting surfaces in housing with a
animals to lay at the same time” climate similar to outdoors should be provided with a bed of
(Directive
2008/120/EC,
Annex
I, straw or other protective material suitable for animals.
Chapter I, 3)
Pigs must have access to space with different sections that
allow them to lie, eat and defecate. The resting space may not
have manure draining floors.
THERMAL
“air circulation, dust levels, temperature, In thermally insulated housing, relative air humidity during
COMFORT
relative
air
humidity
and
gas the winter may not exceed 80% apart from in exceptional
AND
concentrations must be kept within circumstances unless the housing temperature is below 10 °C.
AIR QUALITY
limits which are not harmful to the In such cases the numerical sum of the housing temperature
animals” (Directive 98/58/EC Annex, and the relative humidity must not exceed 90.
10)
In non-insulated housing, relative humidity may not exceed
the relative humidity of outdoor air by more than 10
percentage points, apart from in exceptional circumstances.
Animals in housing may only occasionally be exposed to air
pollution that exceeds the following values, unless otherwise
specified in this statute: ammonia: 10 ppm, carbon dioxide:
3,000 ppm, hydrogen sulphide: 0.5 ppm, organic dust: 10
mg/m³.
Air may not be drawn into a housing section via a manure or
urine drainage system or via spaces that may contain air
pollution or infectious agents which could negatively affect
the animals' health.
Housing for fattening pigs should be equipped with a shower
system or other devices which allow the animals to cool off in
the summer.
Thermally insulated housing for growing pigs should have
heating equipment for additional heat during the winter.
HEALTH
"sufficient
number
of
staff
who It must be possible to take animals in need of special care
STATUS
possesses
the
appropriate
ability, untethered into a nearby space where, if necessary, they can
knowledge
and
professional be housed individually. The space must have a climate that
competence”
(Directive
98/58/EC, the animals are used to. (…)
Annex, 1)
For pigs (…), the space referred to in the provision should be
“sick or injured animals shall be able to house at least one animal per 25. (…)
accommodated
in
suitable
accommodation with, where appropriate,
dry comfortable bedding” (Directive
98/58/EC, Annex, 4)
"specialised
housings
(for
piglets
weaned less than 28 days of age) which
are separated from housings where sows
are kept" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
Annex I, Chapter II, C3)
COMPETITION
“unobstructed floor area” (Directive Minimum space per animal in boxes with growing pigs, 10 -
FOR FOOD
2008/120/EC, Article 3, 1a).
130 kg.
AND SPACE
"measures taken to prevent fighting (…)
adequate opportunities to escape and
Resting area, m2
Total area, m2
hide from other
pigs" (Directive
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter II, D 1,
Littered
weight(kg)
weight(kg)
= 0.10 +
= 0.17+
2)
restingbox
167
130
“feeding and watering equipment must
weight(kg)
be designed constructed and placed so
Litter box
= 0.10 +
that (…) the harmful effects of
84
9
competition between the animals are *) A box in specified areas may not be designed in such a way
minimised”
(Directive
98/58/EC, that it is difficult for the animals to turn inside the box or
Annex, 17)
defined manure path
"permanent access to a sufficient
quantity of fresh water" (Directive Water supply for pigs kept in groups:
2008/120/EC, Annex I,
Chapter I, 7)
Number of lactating Number of other pigs
sows per
per
wat
water
water
er
water nipple
cup
nipple
cup
Dry
20
10
40
20
feeding
*
Wet
40 *
20
80
40 *
feeding
*
*) However, at least two water stations are required for
groups of more than 30 pigs.
Minimum space (trough length) per animal with straight
feeding place and simultaneous feeding of groups of pigs:
Feeding place, m
Growing pigs, 10-130 kg
weight(kg)
= 0.164 +
538
Piglets must not be weaned until they have reached four
weeks of age and must be accustomed to supplementary feed.
DIET
“animals must be fed a wholesome Animals shall be given daily fodder of an appropriate
diet appropriate to their age and structure.
species and which is fed to them in The fodder must ensure adequate, all-round, balanced
sufficient quantity to maintain them nutrition.
in good health and satisfy their Additional provisions regarding fodder are found in Section 3
nutritional
needs.”
(Directive of the Animal Welfare Act.
98/58/EC Annex, 14)
Table 5
Parameter
Legal requirements
(Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive 98/58/EC
Recommendation
(EU) 2016/336)
ENRICHMENT
“permanent access to a sufficient quantity of Foraging materials:
MATERIAL
material to enable proper investigation and Pigs shall have access at all times to straw, roughage or
manipulation
activities”
(Directive other equivalent foraging material.
2008/120/EC Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
Enrichment materials:
Suitable occupational materials can be chewed and
gnawed, are edible and non-toxic, such as straw,
10
miscanthus, bedding, dust-extracted wood shavings and
coarse fodder (roughage) such as hay, grass, whole-plant
silage and straw or hay cubes. Softwood is permitted only
if suspended in such a way as to remain flexible, if
regularly replaced and if the pigs are fed at least three
times a day with a ration enriched with coarse fodder or
fodder is freely available.
Enrichment materials can be provided in suitable
equipment such as mangers, troughs or special machines.
These must contain a permanent supply of usable
enrichment materials.
If enrichment materials are provided on the floor, they
must always be distributed in sufficient quantities to keep
the animals occupied.
CLEANLINESS
“a lying area physically and thermally
Floors in pigs’ lying areas must not exceed the following
comfortable as well as adequately drained
perforation percentages:
and clean which allows all the animals to
a. 5 % for fattening houses existing on 1 October 2008;
lay at the same time” (Directive
b. 2 % for other pig houses.
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 3)
If floors in the lying area are perforated, the holes or gaps
must be distributed evenly between the flooring elements.
Requirements for surface of lying area see requirements
for stocking density below.
If the lying area in housing systems for weaned piglets and
fattening pigs is reduced according to Annex 1, Table 3,
note 8 AniPO, the dimensions of the lying area must be
such that all animals in a pen can lie down beside each
other at the same time.
In housing systems with lying cubicles, if the lying area in
the cubicles does not meet the minimum requirements in
Annex 1, Table 3, nos 32 and 321-323 AniPO, there must
be sufficient space outside the cubicles to meet those
requirements.
Solid floors shall be non-slippery and sufficiently clean.
Floors in the lying area shall be sufficiently dry and satisfy
the need of the animals for warmth.
THERMAL
“air circulation, dust levels, temperature,
Protection from heat:
COMFORT
relative air humidity and gas concentrations
In newly installed animal houses, pigs weighing 25 kg or
AND
must be kept within limits which are not
more and kept in groups as well as boars shall be provided
AIR QUALITY
harmful to the animals” (Directive 98/58/EC with cooling facilities at high temperatures.
Annex, 10)
Farrowing pens
The microclimate in the creep area for the piglets shall
correspond to the animals’ temperature needs.
Protection against cold
If temperatures in the lying area fall below the following
levels, the floor in the lying area should be insulated,
sufficiently well-bedded or equipped with a heating
system:
a. 24 °C for piglets until weaning;
b. 20 °C for piglets from weaning to 25 kg;
c. 15 °C for pigs from 25 to 60 kg;
c. 9 °C for pigs over 60 kg.
In the first three days after farrowing, the temperature in
the piglet area should be at least 30 °C.
Suckling piglets should have access to the piglet area at all
11
times.
In outdoor climate houses, pigs should have a lying
cubicle or similar facility, or the opportunity to burrow
into a deep bed.
Protection against heat
If the temperature in new houses for groups of pigs
weighing 25 kg or more or for boars exceeds 25 °C, the
animals must be given an opportunity to cool themselves
down.
Cooling options include ground heat exchangers, air
conditioning, floor cooling, misting systems and water
cooling systems which act directly on the animals, such as
showers or wallows.
For pigs kept outdoors, a wallow must be provided if
temperatures in the shade exceed 25 °C; in strong sunlight,
a sufficiently large shaded area must be provided outside
the pig huts.
COMPETITION “unobstructed
floor
area”
(Directive Feeding
FOR FOOD
2008/120/EC, Article 3, 1a).
If feed is provided ad libitum, the number of feeding
AND SPACE
"measures taken to prevent fighting (…) spaces should be:
adequate opportunities to escape and hide
a. dry feeders: one space to five animals;
from other pigs" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
b. wet feeders with up to three feeding spaces: one space
Annex I, Chapter II, D 1, 2)
to twelve animals;
“feeding and watering equipment must be
c. wet feeders with more than three feeding spaces, and
designed constructed and placed so that (…)
pipe feeders: one space to ten animals;
the harmful effects of competition between
d. all other feeding systems: according to the
the animals are minimised” (Directive
requirements of the authorisation for mass-produced
98/58/EC, Annex, 17)
housing systems.
"permanent access to a sufficient quantity of
If the water supply at wet feeders or pipe feeders is turned
fresh water" (Directive 2008/120/EC,
off, the animal to feeding space ratio should be the same
Annex I, Chapter I, 7)
as for dry feeders.
Distances between the trough divisions of feeding systems
should be such that there is enough room for the animals’
snouts. Trough dividers are rods which are fitted inside the
trough and do not protrude above its edge. The minimum
distances are 15 cm for piglets up to 25 kg and 20 cm for
fattening pigs weighing 25 kg or more.
Width of feeding place per animal in group housing:
< 15 kg: 12cm
15-25 kg: 18cm
25-60 kg: 27cm
60-85 kg: 30cm
85-110kg: 33cm
100-160kg: 36cm
Water Provision
Pigs shall have access to water at all times, except in the
case of outdoor production, when they are provided
several times daily with water.
In group housing, one drinking facility for every 12
animals shall be provided in the case of dry feeding and
one drinking facility for every 24 animals in the case of
liquid feeding.
Stocking density
Weaned piglets shall not be kept in multi-level cages. The
12
cages shall be open at the top.
Minimum Requirements for unobstructed flooring for
slaughtered piglets, fattening pigs and breeding pigs per
pig.
Pig weight (kg) Floor area (m2 / animal)
< 15 kg: 0.12m2 (of this lying area must be 0.15m2 )
15-25 kg: 0.18m2 (of this lying area must be 0.25m2 )
25-60 kg: 0,60m2 (of this lying area must be 0.40m2 )
60-85 kg: 0.75m2 (of this lying area must be 0.50m2 )
85-110kg: 0.9m2 (of this lying area must be 0.60m2 )
100-160kg: 1.65m2 (of this lying area must be 095m2 )
Table 6
Parameter
Legal requirements
(Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC, Directive
Recommendation
98/58/EC
(EU) 2016/336)
ENRICHMENT
“permanent access to a sufficient quantity Pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient amount of
MATERIAL
of material to enable proper investigation material that they can investigate, root and manipulate.
and manipulation activities” (Directive Materials such as straw, hay, sawdust, peat, wood
2008/120/EC Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
(shavings), soil or a mixture of these may be used. The
rooting material shall not endanger the health of the
animals.
Enrichment materials must be rootable.
CLEANLINESS
“a lying area physically and thermally Pigs must have access to a convenient, dry, clean and free
comfortable as well as adequately drained lying area of a suitable temperature. Pigs must have access
and clean which allows all the animals to to separate resting and dunging areas, where a smaller part
lay
at
the
same
time” (Directive of slats can be above the dunging area. The design of pens
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 3)
should be such that litter can be used. The floor of the
resting area must be solid, deep straw or dry manure, and
this area must be so large that all animals can lie down at
the same time. The rest of the pen can have drained floors.
HEALTH
"sufficient number of staff who possesses When necessary, sick or injured animals shall be isolated
STATUS
the appropriate ability, knowledge and in a hospital pen with a dry and soft sleeping space
professional
competence”
(Directive In buildings for pigs, there must be separate pens for sick
98/58/EC, Annex, 1)
animals and animals that need extra supervision. Number
“sick or injured animals shall be of hospital pens must be sufficient and there must be
accommodated in suitable accommodation always one pen ready to use in which animals can be
with, where appropriate, dry comfortable individually raised. The hospital pen may only be used for
bedding” (Directive 98/58/EC, Annex, 4)
a limited stay and it must be so large that the animals can
easily turn around unless the veterinarian recommends that
"specialised housings (for piglets weaned the animal be in a narrower pen. Care should be taken to
less than 28 days of age) which are ensure that animals in hospital pens have sufficient heat
separated from housings where sows are and litter, and ensure access to water and feed.
kept" (Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I,
Chapter II, C3)
Pigs that are newborn, sick, injured or abnormal should be
supervised several times a day.
Piglets may not be weaned before 28 days of age. Earlier
weaning is only permitted after medical indication
evaluated by the veterinarian.
13
EXAMPLES OF IMPROVEMENT MEASURES BEYOND LEGAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
ANNEX III
Table 6: Example – Enrichment materials
What could be considered
Parameter:
Legal requirement
Compliance criteria for legal
sufficient improvement
Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC,
minimum requirements
measures going beyond
Recommendation
98/58/EC
example DK
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
requirements?
Enrichment material
“permanent access to a
Guidance on:
Providing optimal
sufficient quantity of
Suitable materials: straw,
enrichment materials such as
material to enable
hay, wood, sawdust,
straw or roughage on the
proper investigation and
mushroom compost, peat or
floor that are accessible for
manipulation activities”
a mixture
all pigs at the same time.
(Directive 2008/120/EC
Ideally combined with
Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
Distribution: Materials
assessment of animal based
should be given on the floor
indicators
to enable rooting behavior
Quantity: Two pieces of
wood, ropes etc. in a pen
with 18 pigs
Table 7: Example Thermal comfort
What could be considered
Parameter
Compliance criteria for legal
Legal requirement
sufficient improvement
Commission
requirements
Directive 2008/120/EC,
measures going beyond
Recommendation
example SE (gas
98/58/EC
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
concentrations)
requirements?
Thermal comfort and
“air circulation, dust
ammonia: 10 ppm
Undertaking of necessary
air quality
levels, temperature,
carbon dioxide: 3,000 ppm
measures to correct
relative air humidity and
deficiencies and improve
hydrogen sulphide: 0.5 ppm
gas concentrations must
climate parameters.
be kept within limits
organic dust: 10 mg/m³
ammonia: < 10 ppm
which are not harmful to
carbon dioxide: <
the animals” (Directive
2000 ppm
98/58/EC Annex, 10)
organic dust: < 10
mg/m³
Ideally combined with
assessment of animal based
indicators
14
Table 8: Example Thermal comfort
What could be considered
Parameter:
Legal requirement
Compliance criteria for legal
sufficient improvement
Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC,
minimum requirements
measures going beyond
Recommendation
98/58/EC
example DK
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
requirements?
Thermal comfort and
“air circulation, dust
Pens for weaners above 20 kg, The use of clearly defined
air quality
levels, temperature,
breeding stock and finishers cooling systems that enable
relative air humidity and must have a sprinkling system adequate and measurable
gas concentrations must
or similar devices for regulating cooling of facilities (high
be kept within limits
the animals' body temperature.
pressure vaporisation, cool
which are not harmful to
pads, heat exchangers) or
the animals” (Directive
animals (wallows, showers).
98/58/EC Annex, 10)
Providing shadow by
planting trees around
facilities or placing shutters /
blinds to avoid direct sun
radiation that pigs can’t
avoid.
Table 9: Example Health status
What could be considered
Parameter:
Legal requirement
Compliance criteria for legal
sufficient improvement
Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC,
minimum requirements
measures going beyond
Recommendation
98/58/EC
example
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
requirements?
Health status
"sufficient number of
A minimum number of
staff who possesses the
stockmen should be available
appropriate ability,
for a certain amount of pigs.
knowledge and
This can be calculated in hours
professional competence per sow / fattening pig or
(Directive 98/58/EC,
number of staff per sow /
Annex, 1)
fattening herd of a certain size.
Different values should be set
for different production systems.
" any person who
Specific qualifications for
Staff responsible for feeding and
employs or engages
staff beyond the basic
caretaking of pigs must possess:
persons to attend to
requirements. :
a) Knowledge about pigs’
pigs ensures that the
Specific training of staff in
needs with regard to
person attending to the
animal welfare issues with a
feeding, care, health and
animals has received
special focus on pig
husbandry
instructions and
behavioural needs and the
b) Basic knowledge about
guidance on the relevant
prevention of tail-biting.
biology and behaviour
provisions of Article 3
of pigs
Staff should complete a
and Annex I"
minimum of xx hours of
"appropriate training
c) Knowledge about
training on an annual basis.
courses are available. In
animal welfare
Training courses should be
particular such training
legislation
approved by CA
courses must focus on
welfare aspects."
(Directive 2008/120/EC
Article 6)
15
Table 10: Example Competition for food and space
What could be considered
Parameter:
Legal requirement
Compliance criteria for legal
sufficient improvement
Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC,
minimum requirements
measures going beyond
Recommendation
98/58/EC
Stated in Directive
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
requirements?
Competition for food
“unobstructed floor
<10 kg: 0,15 m²
Bearing in mind
and space
area” (Directive
10-20 kg: 0,20 m²
requirements of Point 8 of
2008/120/EC, Article 3,
20-30 kg: 0,30 m²
Annex I, Chapter I of
1a).
30-50 kg: 0,40 m²
Directive: increase stocking
50-85 kg: 0,55 m²
density beyond national
> 110 kg: 1,0 m²
minimum requirements
moving towards stocking
densities in countries that
rear pigs with intact tails e. g.
SE and FI (see table 2 and 4
above).
Table 11: Example Diet
What could be considered
Parameter:
Legal requirement
Compliance criteria for legal
sufficient improvement
Commission
Directive 2008/120/EC,
minimum requirements
measures going beyond
Recommendation
98/58/EC
example SE
legal minimum
(EU) 2016/336
requirements?
Diet
“animals are fed a
Animals shall be given daily Using
post-mortem feedback
wholesome diet
fodder
of
an
appropriate particularly on stomach
appropriate to their age
structure.
ulcers to assess gut health
and species and which is The
fodder
must
ensure and taking appropriate
fed to them in sufficient
adequate, all-round, balanced improvement measures.
quantity to maintain
nutrition.
them in good health and
Provide roughage in addition
satisfy their nutritional
needs.” (Directive
to normal feeding ration.
98/58/EC Annex, 14)
Increase fibre content and
fibre quality of feeding
ration. Suggest sources of
good quality fibre and set
minimum levels of fibre
content.
Provide coarsely grounded
feed. Set minimum values for
grinding rate of feed.
16
ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE
ANNEX IV
Member State:
Member State contact:
(email)
Date of Action Plan Submission:
1. Drawing up compliance criteria and making them publicly available
Please insert 2018
Deadlines for:
1: update SOPs/
guidance
Parameter:
Legal requirements:
Define
Commission
2: Inform pig-sector/
Directive 2008/120/EC,
Compliance
Recommendation
make publicly
Directive 98/58/EC
Criteria
(EU) 2016/336
available
3: implement
enforcement action
4. other
Enrichment
“permanent access to a sufficient
material
quantity of material to enable proper
investigation and manipulation
activities” (Directive 2008/120/EC
Annex I, Chapter I, 4)
Cleanliness
“a lying area physically and
thermally comfortable as well as
adequately drained and clean which
allows all the animals to lay at the
same time” (Directive 2008/120/EC,
Annex I, Chapter I, 3)
Thermal comfort
“air circulation, dust levels,
and air quality
temperature, relative air humidity
and gas concentrations must be kept
within limits which are not harmful
to the animals” (Directive 98/58/EC
Annex, 10)
Health status
"sufficient number of staff who
possesses the appropriate ability,
knowledge and professional
competence (Directive 98/58/EC,
Annex, 1)
“sick or injured animals shall be
accommodated in suitable
accommodation with, where
appropriate, dry comfortable
bedding. (Directive 98/58/EC,
Annex, 4)
"specialised housings (for piglets
weaned less than 28 days of age)
17
which are separated from housings
where sows are kept" (Directive
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter II,
C3)
Competition for
“unobstructed floor area” (Directive
food and space
2008/120/EC, Article 3, 1a).
"measures taken to prevent fighting
(…) adequate opportunities to
escape and hide from other pigs"
(Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I,
Chapter II, D 1, 2)
“feeding and watering equipment
must be designed constructed and
placed so that (…) the harmful
effects of competition between the
animals are minimised” (Directive
98/58/EC, Annex, 17)
"permanent access to a sufficient
quantity of fresh water" (Directive
2008/120/EC, Annex I, Chapter I, 7)
Diet
“animals must be fed a wholesome
diet appropriate to their age and
species and which is fed to them in
sufficient quantity to maintain them
in good health and satisfy their
nutritional needs.” (Directive
98/58/EC Annex, 14)
Point 8 of Annex I of Chapter I of
Directive 2008/120/EC
"Neither tail-docking nor reduction
of corner teeth must be carried out
routinely but only where there is
evidence that injuries to sows’ teats
or to other pigs’ ears or tails have
occurred. Before carrying out these
procedures, other measures shall be
taken to prevent tail-biting and other
vices, taking into account
environment and stocking densities.
For this reason, inadequate
environmental conditions or
management systems must be
changed."
Other legal requirements from
2008/120/EC and 98/58/EC
18
2. Ensuring farmer risk assessments are carried out
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
Please insert 2018 Deadlines
Member States
for:
planning to take in 2018
1: update SOPs/ guidance
to ensure that where
farmers tail-dock, or
2: inform pig-sector/
receive tail-docked pigs
make publicly available
they:
3: implement enforcement
record/provide evidence
action
of tail/ear injuries
4: other
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
2018 Deadlines:
Member States
1: update SOPs/ guidance
planning to take in 2018
to ensure that where
2: inform pig-sector/
farmers tail-dock, or
make publicly available
receive tail-docked pigs
they:
3: implement enforcement
action
assess the risk factors
leading to tail/ear biting
4: other
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
2018 Deadlines:
Member States
1: update SOPs/ guidance
planning to take in 2018
to ensure that where
2: inform pig-sector/
farmers tail-dock, or
make publicly available
receive tail-docked pigs
they:
3: implement enforcement
action
change
inadequate
environmental
4: other
conditions
or
management systems
3. Assessing evidence of tail/ear biting and changes to environmental and
management systems including stocking density
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
Please insert 2018 Deadlines
Member States
for:
planning to take in 2018
1: update SOPs/ guidance
to ensure where farmers
tail-dock, or receive
2: inform pig-sector/
tail-docked pigs that:
make publicly available
inspectors can make
3: implement enforcement
enforcement decisions
action
on what is sufficient
19
evidence of tail and ear
4: other
injuries to justify tail-
docking and how often
should this be recorded
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
2018 Deadlines:
Member States
1: update SOPs/ guidance
planning to take in 2018
to ensure where farmers
2: inform pig-sector/
tail-dock, or receive
Table 6 of Annex 3 could be used as a make publicly available
tail-docked pigs that:
template to define both compliance criteria
and related improvement measures
3: implement enforcement
inspectors can make
action
enforcement decisions
on what are sufficient
4: other
improvement measures
by farmers, and at what
frequency should they
be undertaken, to
change inadequate
environmental
conditions or
managements systems
before resorting to tail-
docking of pigs
4. Reviewing the provision of veterinary statements and quality standard
requirements justifying the need to tail-docking
What actions are
Define Member State Proposed Actions
Please insert 2018 Deadlines
Member States
for:
planning to take in 2018
1: update SOPs/ guidance
to review the provision
of veterinary statements
2: inform pig-
and quality standard
sector/veterinary sector
requirements justifying
make publicly available
the need to tail-dock
3: implement other action
20
Electronically signed on 10/01/2018 16:06 (UTC+01) in accordance with article 4.2 (Validity of electronic documents) of Commission Decision 2004/563