Brussels, 16/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - On the basis of a report on intensive pig farming, adopted on Tuesday, the Commission proposes to amend EU legislation on the protection of pigs to improve welfare conditions, mainly concerning their freedom of movement and feeding. The draft directive that the Commission will submit to this end, to the Council (the Parliament will be consulted but does not have power of co-decision, the legal base being Article 37, of Common Agriculture Policy) aims to amend Directive 91/630/EEC (minimum standards relating to the protection of pigs).
The innovations contained in this proposal are: a) a ban on individual stalls for sows during pregnancy up to 7 days before farrowing; b) a ban on tethering of sows and gilts; c) an obligatory minimum size of sow pens, allowing at least for turning around; d) obligatory permanent access for pigs to rooting materials and fibre food; e) detailed floor surface requirements with separate dunging and resting/feeding areas.
The proposal is based on a scientific opinion on the welfare of pigs in intensive production, issued in 1997 by the relevant EU scientific committee 'Animal Health and Welfare". David Byrne, European Commission for Health and Consumer Protection, explains the meaning and the scope of this initiative. He says in a press release: "The intensification of pig farming over the past ten years has led to practices which cause unnecessary suffering and are also increasingly proving to be counterproductive. I take the advice of our scientists on this very seriously and will do the utmost to ensure that the legislation is brought in line. Once these new measures are in place, I believe the pig meat industry will have a chance to significantly improve its public image. Animal welfare issues are an integral part of the future EU farming policy. We want to be moving towards a farming system that combines efficient rearing with rearing methods that are acceptable to the vast majority of the public".