1. Farm Assurance standards and rearing pigs with intact tails
Sconaid Wastie
Scientific Officer
RSPCA Farm Animals Department

2. RSPCA Farm Animals Department
11 Technical Staff
7 Farm Livestock Officers

3. RSPCA Welfare Standards
12 sets of standards
9 species
Focus on welfare
Encourage good/best practice

4. RSPCA Assured Established in 1994 Higher Welfare Farm Assurance
(previously Freedom Food)
Established in 1994
Higher Welfare Farm Assurance
RSPCA Welfare Standards
On Farm Assessment

5. The Pig Standards Free farrowing and lactation Bedding No Castration
Overview
Free farrowing and lactation
Bedding
No Castration
Enrichment

6. Pigs on the Scheme 1148 pig units Outdoor and Indoor systems
Around % of UK Pigs

7. Tail Docking Standards

8. Tail Docking Standards
The Permission Process
Must be submitted annually
Sufficient information must be provided
In conjunction with the farm vet

9. Tail Docking Standards
Pro-forma
On our website;
Guidance Document
Pro-forma

10. Tail Docking Standards

11. Tail Docking Standards
Prevention
Straw
Draughts
Temperature
Feed Space
Split sex rearing
Drinkers
Space
Disease
Variation
Stock keepers
Genetics

12. Tail Docking Standards
Tail Length

13. Tail Docking Standards
Free range Pigs

14. Problems & Barriers Tradition Fear System Variations Supply Chains
What is preventing undocked tails?
Tradition
Fear
System Variations
Supply Chains

15. Welfare Outcome Assessment
Can this help prevent Tail Biting?
Tail Docking
Tail Damage
Split sexing
Enrichment

16. Possible Solutions?
Support
Genetics
Investment in housing

17. Thank You
Any Questions?