European CommissionEuropean CommissionHealth & Consumers Health & Consumers

Directorate GeneralDirectorate General

The European approach – research and funding for The European approach – research and funding for future stepsfuture steps

Andrea GAVINELLIAndrea GAVINELLI

Directorate Veterinary and International AffairsDirectorate Veterinary and International AffairsAnimal Welfare UnitAnimal Welfare Unit

The views expressed may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission

European Partnership on Pig Castration

The Commission facilitated the elaboration of the European Declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs

The Declaration was signed in December 2010 by main organisations of the pig sector

The declaration is an open invitation for every actor in the European pig sector and European retailers to join this voluntary initiative

European Declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs

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.

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/farm/initiatives_en.htm

European Declaration on alternativesto surgical castration of pigs

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

COPA-COGECA

Eurogroup for Animals

UECBV (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 Council

DBV (German farmer association)

VDF (German meat industry association)

HDE (German retail association)

Scientific experts from INRA

COV (Dutch red meat slaughterhouses)

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"

European Partnership on pig castration

Financial support from the EU to develop the tools to achieve this objective

COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 19 August 2011 adopting a work programme for the financing of the activities of the Union on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs (2011/C 243/06)

Total amount: EUR 1 330 000

Six actions in 2011/2012

Six actions of the financing decision1. development of reference methods recognised by the European

Union for the detection and measurement of the main compounds responsible for boar taint

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

Work Programme

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 350.000administrative agreement with the Joint Research Center, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), in GeelSignature before the end of 2011Duration: 2 year

Work Programme

2. Study on consumer acceptance in the European Union and in third countries of pig meat obtained from male pigs not surgically castrated

EUR 250.000open call for tenderIndicative date for publishing: March 2012duration: 24 months

Work Programme

3. Study on rapid detection methods for boar taint used or being developed at slaughter plants in the European Union

EUR 150.000open call for tenderIndicative date for publishing: April 2012duration: 18 months

Work Programme

4. Study on how to achieve reduction of boar taint compounds by breeding, feeding and management techniques

EUR 250.000open call for tenderIndicative date for publishing: April 2012duration: 24 months

Work Programme

5. Study and economic analysis of the costs and benefits of ending surgical castration of pigs

EUR 150.000 use of existing framework contractIndicative date launching the procedure : June 2012duration: 18 months

Work Programme

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 contractlaunching the procedure : January/February 2012

2011 2012 2015 2018

website

developm

ent of r

efere

nce m

ethods

study o

n consu

mer a

ccepta

nce

rapid d

etect

ion meth

ods for b

oar taint

reduct

ion of b

oar taint c

ompounds b

y bre

eding, feeding

study a

nd eco

nomic

analysis

2014

Indicative Timeline

Future strategy on animal welfare 2011-2015

Need to reinforce existing toolsEnforcement (e.g. common methodology to address animal welfare risks)ResearchInternational cooperation Communication and education

Something “new” is coming...

On pig castration planned for September 2012

Future workshop

Thank you