Pig welfare benefits

6 June 1997

Pig welfare benefits

OUTDOOR pigs can be moved on to land coming out of set-aside in September this year, rather than the usual Jan 15 date, after the EU Commission accepted the UKs request for greater flexibility to protect pig welfare.

In its report last year on the welfare of outdoor pigs, government advisory group, the Farm Animal Welfare Council, said January was often the worst time of the year to move pigs.

This year, farmers can move pigs on to any land coming out of set-aside from Sept 1 onwards. The rules also allow farmers to start installing fencing from July 15.