Dutch hog farmers have promised to try ending the practice
of tail docking.
Dutch
Union of Pig Producers (NVV) and the Dutch Agri & Horticultural Organization
(LTO) say they aim to end tail tocking in the long term, step by step, and on
the condition that it can be done responsibly.
The
initiative is supported by companies, institutes and organizations such as feed
supplier Coppens, breeding company Topigs, the Royal Netherlands Veterinary
Association, retailer Vion, the Dutch animal welfare organization
Dierenbescherming Wageningen University & Research Centre.
Those
signing the declaration aim to research solutions against tail biting in
existing barns and in affordable novel housing concepts.
There
are differences of opinion among Dutch farmers about loose housing.
Pork
packers discount hogs who have infected tails or stubs and there is no bonus
for marketing hogs whose tails have not been docked.
There
is an agreement that any additional costs involved with giving up tail docking
will be shared across the supply chain.
There
is an estimate that there is an incidence of about two per cent of tail biting
in the industry and that it costs farmers about two million Euros per year.
Factors
that might reduce tail biting are believed to be genetics, feeding, climate and
distraction material.
The
Dutch intend to ban castration by Jan. 1, 2015.
