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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th March 2016
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New guidelines to prevent pig tail docking
pig
Under the new recommendation, enrichment materials are classified as 'optimal', 'suboptimal' and 'of marginal interest'.
Farmers advised to carry out risk assessments

The European Commission (EC) has published new best practice guidelines to help reduce the need for tail docking in pigs.

The practice of tail docking is carried out to prevent tail biting - an abnormal behaviour with multi-factorial causes.

EU legislation requires member countries to ensure tail docking is not carried out routinely, but only when there is evidence of injuries to sows' teats or other pigs' ears or tails. British producers are required to reduce the need to tail dock by making adjustments to the environment and husbandry.

The recommendation has been released at the same time as a paper on best practice in providing enrichment materials to prevent tail biting.

Both papers have been produced in response to a drive by animal welfare organisations to ensure member states adhere to pig welfare rules. There are also concerns that husbandry systems differ between member states, meaning there is a need for best practice advice.

Under the new recommendation, enrichment materials are classified as 'optimal', 'suboptimal' and 'of marginal interest'. Suboptimal materials should be used in combination with other materials, while those of marginal interest are likely to provide distraction for pigs, but must be used with optimal or suboptimal materials.

Farmers should carry out a tail biting risk assessment, according to the recommendation. This should take into account: enrichment materials provided, cleanliness, thermal comfort and air quality, health status, competition for food and space and diet.

Based on this assessment, farmers should consider making any relevant changes, such as providing enrichment materials, comfortable environmental conditions, assuring good health status and/or providing a balanced diet.

The UK's National Pig Association says it will discuss the paper with Defra to ensure the government's response takes into account the multifactorial causes of tail-biting.

For more information, see: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016H0336

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.