Ban on live animal exports being explored
The prospect of a ban on live animal exports has been raised by the UK Government, as it launched a call for evidence from industry and campaigners on the issue.
Ministers said action on live animal exports, with more than 4,000 sheep transported from the UK for slaughter each year, was part of efforts to be a global leader on welfare.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said “all options” for improving the welfare of livestock during transport were being considered, including a poten- tial ban on live export of animals for slaughter.
The Farm Animal Welfare Committee has launched a review into welfare standards.
An unusual but potentially very important finding has emerged from the fact that pigs keep their tails down beside their bodies if they are in danger of other pigs biting their extremities while healthy unconcerned pigs keep their tails “up and curly”.
Tail biting can be an animal welfare issue and is caused by a number of factors including elements of the pig’s genetics, nutrition, environment and management. Outbreaks can occur unpredictably and quickly spread.
But now, new research by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has revealed that pigs hold their tails down against their body when tail biting is about to begin. Experiments saw 3D cameras placed above feeders to automatically measure whether their tails were up and curly, or held down.
The animals in the experiment were closely monitored and tail biting was stopped as soon as an out- break was detected. The research was the result of collaboration between SRUC animal behaviour and welfare experts, Scottish farm technology company Innovent Technology Ltd, pig supply chain partners including feed company Harbro and Sainsbury’s supermarkets, and the Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation Centre.
Dr Rick D’eathfrom SRUC said: “Tail biting results in pain and sickness for bitten pigs and severe economic losses for farmers as infection through tail wounds results in abattoir condemnation of meat. This condemnation alone can cost a producer up to 1 per cent of the carcase value and a loss for the processor of 1 per cent of saleable carcase from the pig.”