Italian Ministry’s action plan to avoid tail docking Italian Ministry’s action plan to avoid tail docking CIWF’s perspective Annamaria Pisapia Head of Italy and Southern European Coordinator Compassion in World Farming Dublin, 28 November 2018

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All animals should have a life worth living © Compassion in World Farming

largely widespread in Italy Routine tail docking largely widespread in Italy Generally, poor welfare conditions in Italian pig farms

Exposure by NGO’s CIWF’s «I am worthy», 2013 2016-18 several other investigations done by other organisations

Commission’s inspection and report 2017 Commission’s inspection and report

February 2018 Ministry establishes multistakeholder permanent working group to draft action plan, risk assessment check list and related guidelines on how to avoid routine tail docking CIWF Italy only NGO member 3 months of intense work, meetings of 8 hours each  

Ministerial guidelines to prevent tail docking in pig farming (July 2018)

Check-list and guidelines Overall good pragmatic documents which can really lead to the start of the avoidance of routine tail docking in Italian pig farms Enable an improvement of the whole pig farming system   

BUT to make it work (1) Needs to be followed up closely by the Ministry Trials cannot be started before the improvements of the timetable done by the farmers Ministry needs to follow up asap with roundletter and clearer instructions on when to start trials   

Working group needs to be gathered again in early 2019 after self assessment submission by farmers and regularly after that Health Ministry needs to work synergically with Agriculture Ministry and Regions to release asap funding to help farmers refurbishing their farms    BUT to make it work (2)

Not only animal welfare Also the image, reputation and the future itself of Made in Italy products are at stake The Italian pig farming system cannot afford to miss this fundamental appointment

The start was fair but now we have to make it happen Grazie mille