EUROPEAN LIVESTOCK AND MEAT TRADEING UNION

UECBV

PIGLETS CASTRATION

European Declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs (December 2010)

European Representatives of the pig sector commit to voluntarily stop surgical castration by 1 January 2018 provided certain tools are available such as harmonised methods at European Level to detect Boar Taint.

From 1 January 2012 surgical castration of pigs will be performed with prolonged analgesia and/or anesthesia.

The Declaration establishes a European Partnership on Pig Castration.

• August 2011: Commission Implementing Decision 2011/C 243/06 adopting a work program for the financing of the activities of the Union on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs (Total amount: EUR 1.330.000)

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Objectives and activities as stated in the Declaration• Ensure the acceptance of products from not surgically castrated pigs

by authorities and consumers in the EU but also in Third Countries

• Agree on a common understanding of boar taint

• Perform or coordinate research and development and achieve results • Develop information and training of farmers and other members of

the whole pork chain

• Do a Cost/benefit analysis on the consequences of the end of surgical castration (change in production costs, costs/benefits at the different levels, cost sharing plans)

• Develop a list of traditional productions requiring heavier pigs

• Publish an annual public report assessing the progress on the above actions including costs

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Voluntary agreement to phase out surgical castration of pigs in Europe by 1 January 2018

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LTO Nederland (Dutch pig farmers organisation)NVV (Dutch pig farmers organisation)NBHV (Dutch livestock traders organisation)ANAS (Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Suini) – ItalyDMRI (Danish Meat Research Institute)OIVO - CRIOC (Centre de Recherche et d'Information des Organisations de Consommateurs)FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers' Federation)CIWF (Compassion in World Farming)The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Republic of IrelandFinnish Farm Animal Welfare CouncilGalician Meat Technology Centre – SpainDutch Society for the Protection of AnimalsPROVIEH VgtM e.V. – GermanySCIENTIFIC EXPERT from IFIP - “Institut du porc en France"

COPA-COGECA Eurogroup for AnimalsUECBV (The European Livestock and Meat Trading Union)CLITRAVI (Liaison Center for the Meat Processing Industry in the European Union)FESASS (The European Federation for Animal Health and Sanitary Security)EAAP (European Federation for Animal Science)EFFAB (European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders)FVE Danish Agriculture and Food CouncilDBV (German farmer association)VDF (German meat industry association)HDE (German retail association)Scientific experts from INRA COV (Dutch red meat slaughterhouses)

Six actions of the financing decision

• development of reference methods recognised by the European Union for the detection and measurement of the main compounds responsible for boar taint

• open call for tender for a study on consumer acceptance in the European Union and in third countries of pig meat obtained from male pigs not surgically castrated, its publication and the dissemination of related information

• open call for tender for a study on rapid detection methods for boar taint used or being developed at slaughter plants in the European Union

• open call for tender for a study on how to achieve reduction of boar taint compounds by breeding, feeding and management techniques

• a study and economic analysis of the costs and benefits of ending surgical castration of pigs paying special attention to the share of costs within the whole pig meat chain

• develop, host and maintain a dedicated website to the actions of the European Union on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs

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Work Program

1. Development of reference methods recognised by the European Union for the detection and the measurement of the main compounds responsible for boar taint• EUR 350.000

• administrative agreement with the Joint Research Center, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), in Geel

• Signature before the end of 2011

• Duration: 2 year

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Work Program

2. Study on consumer acceptance in the European Union and in third countries of pig meat obtained from male pigs not surgically castrated• EUR 250.000• open call for tender• Indicative date for publishing: March

2012• duration: 24 months

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Work Program

3. Study on rapid detection methods for boar taint used or being developed at slaughter plants in the European Union• EUR 150.000• open call for tender• Indicative date for publishing: April 2012• duration: 18 months

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Work Program

4. Study on how to achieve reduction of boar taint compounds by breeding, feeding and management techniques• EUR 250.000• open call for tender• Indicative date for publishing: April 2012• duration: 24 months

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Work Program

5. Study and economic analysis of the costs and benefits of ending surgical castration of pigs• EUR 150.000 • use of existing framework contract• Indicative date launching the procedure : June

2012• duration: 18 months

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Work Program

6. Developing, hosting and maintaining a dedicated website providing education and training to the main interested parties of the pig sector on the actions of the European Union on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs• EUR 30.000 • use of existing framework contract• launching the procedure : January/February

2012

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Future workshop

On pig castration planned for September 2012

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www.uecbv.eu

Thank you very much for your attention!