RSPCA welfare standards
 

We encourage pig producers to adopt our RSPCA welfare standards for pigs, as used in the Freedom Food scheme, which have been developed to ensure that higher standards of animal welfare are met at all stages of the animals' lives.

For example, in the RSPCA welfare standards for pigs... 

  • All pigs must be provided with environmental enrichment - either straw or other similar suitable material.  
Piglets in arc with straw © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary
  • Surgical castration is prohibited.
     
  • We are currently amending the requirements in order to phase out the use of all farrowing crates. Until then, existing producers must only use farrowing accommodation that allows sows to turn around easily from five days after farrowing. We believe that loose housing alternatives to the farrowing crate are available that not only provide for the sows behavioural needs but also don't result in an increase in piglet mortality (deaths), a major concern and factor in the continued use of the farrowing crate by the majority of the pig industry.
     
  • Teeth clipping, nose ringing and tail docking are not permitted except in exceptional circumstances. Even then, the herd veterinary surgeon and the farmer must write in to the RSPCA, setting out what other measures have been taken to avoid carrying out the practice. In addition, certain other standards must be met before permission will be granted. 
     

Advocacy / lobbying work
Our scientific staff represent the RSPCA on a number of government and industry committees, including the Pig Health and Welfare Council. We have also been invited to participate in a series of workshops on the issue of piglet castration, which are part of a large EU project.

Research projects
We have been involved in a number of pig welfare research projects (both providing funding, and/or as members of the project steering groups), including: 

  • reducing tail biting in pigs
     
  • higher welfare indoor alternatives to the farrowing crate
     
  • reducing aggression between pigs
     
  • avoidance of nose-ringing in outdoor pigs.
     

Further details of our animal welfare research to help pigs are available in our research projects area.

If you’re concerned about pig welfare, you may like to know more about how you can help.