Pig identity doubt
Pig identity doubt
y
PROPOSED amendments to EU directives on pig identification are unworkable, according to BPA chief executive, Grenville Welsh.
"Until last week we were told the UKs pig registration information movement order – which requires a temporary slap mark and certificate each time the pig is moved – would satisfy the EU requirement for pig identification.
"But the Dutch are pressing for an indelible mark for all pigs linked to a computer database to identify the unit where the pig was born," says Mr Welsh.
He warns that up to 20% of ear tags would be lost as the pigs would chew them and continual retagging could compromise welfare as well as incurring labour and equipment costs.
"Tattoos could be a better option but these can grow out and will cost about 30p a pig plus the extra labour time needed to tattoo all stock," he says.
"And the sheer number of pigs would mean a large body of administration staff to run the database and the BPA estimates that the cost could be up to £5m /year."
he says.