PURPOSE : to lay down the minimum standards for the protection of pigs.
CONTENT : the aim of the Commission proposal is to amend current legislation (Directive 91/630/EEC) in order to bring it into line with new scientific evidences and the experience acquired in this field by Member States.
The proposal aims to :
- ban the use of individual stalls for pregnant sows and gilts and the use of tethers;
- increase the living space available for sows and gilts;
- allow the sows and gilts to have permanent access to materials for rooting;
- introduce a higher level of training and competence on welfare issues for the stockmen and the personnel in charge of the animals;
- request new scientific advice in relation to certain issues of pig farming.
The present proposals will put in place an EU-wide framework of acceptable welfare standard for pigs. To allow the industry time to adjust to these higher standards, provision is made for the phased introduction of the measures. Labelling requirements to highlight this and to provide consumer information can be considered in due course when the measures are fully in place.�