The swine welfare challenges facing Canada's pork producers

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Our producers will need to assess their production practices and market levels as continued pressure is placed on welfare issues by our export partners

by JIM DALRYMPLE

Many countries, including some of Canada's trading partners, are considering major changes related to swine housing, management and production in general. These changes will affect the production systems used on Canadian farms, particularly if Canada wishes to continue exports of breeding stock, weaner pigs, live market hogs and pork products.

Also, as traceability systems are further developed, countries will be assessing production practices when considering imports. Politics and pressure from internal environmental and animal welfare groups will affect government decisions when sourcing pork for their internal markets.

Canada first developed a "Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs" in 1984 and was one of the first countries to do so. This Code was revised and a supplementary Code was developed on early-weaned pigs. An additional seven Codes of Practice for various farmed species were developed under the direction of the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC) and its Expert Committee on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour.

The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) has been examining the Farm Animal Codes of Practice and the need for increased commitment and future Code development. And, in December 2010, the Canadian Pork Council announced that the revision to the Swine Code will be a priority.

In 2010, Canada exported over one million metric tonnes of pork and breeding stock to such countries as the United States, Japan, Australia, Mexico, the Philippines, China and a number of European countries. Many of these countries have introduced legislation banning certain production practices now and into the future.

A half century ago, many sows were housed outside on a seasonal basis or in small hutches, often ending up with frostbite in winter. While the leaner pork that has resulted from improved genetics and nutrition has been a benefit to consumers, today's pigs could not withstand the adverse weather conditions.

In the 1960s and '70s, a number of swine farms utilized both neck ties and back straps to confine gestating sows. At the time, these systems came under little criticism since the animal rights and welfare movements were practically non-existent.

Gestation stalls were adopted in most major pork-producing countries, enabling producers to control individual intake of feed.  Many of the world's largest producers of pork, such as the United States, Denmark and Canada, use sow stalls, but some nations (like the United Kingdom) and some U.S. states (Florida, Arizona and California) have banned their use or have legislation underway to phase them out. Stalls are already banned in Sweden; Denmark will ban their use in 2014, followed by New Zealand in 2015.

The Netherlands reports that, within two years, all breeding farms in the European Union will have to keep their gestating sows in a group housing system from one month after insemination.

So what's ahead for Canadian producers?
Many production systems have aging equipment and producers will be considering retooling facilities. Depressed pork prices have prevented most producers from updating their equipment, but the Cull Breeding Swine Program (CBSP) and the recent Hog Farm Transition Program (HFTP) have meant the closure of many barns and some excellent equipment is available.

Many producers are unsure if they should replace the stalls or switch to alternative sow housing methods. But the demands of Canada's trading partners may push the industry to consider alternative group housing systems if Canada wishes to remain export oriented.

Group housing of sows is seen as welfare-friendly, although it can lead to bullying, greater variation in the sow's weights during gestation, a possible increase in foot and leg injuries and increased management problems with breeding, vaccination or treatment. It may be unfortunate that the answer to the issue of a sow's welfare and well-being during gestation may not be based on science but on the emotions of the general public, and questions of ethics may affect the evaluation of different systems.

A number of countries are looking at piglet welfare during castration. Anesthesia under veterinary supervision is being considered as a future requirement in some countries if piglets are to be castrated. Tail docking, clipping needle teeth and notching of pigs' ears for identification have also come under review.

As well, the farrowing unit or crate is being criticized as too restrictive by animal welfarists. Yet these units improve baby pig comfort and reduce mortality, while providing adequate temperatures for both the piglets and the sow.

Early weaning has also been questioned and we are hearing some demands to restrict early weaning practices. A recent report from the Danish Ministry of Justice indicates that pig producers could face a blanket ban on farrowing crates as well as sow stalls.

Ontario and Canadian pork producers and the entire industry will need to assess their production practices and both domestic and export market levels as continued pressure is placed on welfare issues. BP

J.R. (Jim) Dalrymple is a former Ontario government swine specialist and president of Livestock Technology Services Ltd. in Brighton.