A view of European pig production - A benchmarking exercise for Denmark, England, Holland and Germany
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Quality – Growth – Balance
A view of European
pig production
A benchmarking exercise for
Denmark, England, Holland
and Germany
Introduction The purpose of this publication is to compare quality standards in Danish pig production with those in other selected countries. The basis for comparison includes parameters such as animal welfare, food safety, health, and the environment. The comparisons are based on available data collected from relevant sources in Denmark and the other countries. In areas where it has not been possible to obtain the information or where the validation of information has been questionable, either EU legislation is used as a benchmark or the comparison is omitted com- pletely. It should be emphasised that the comparisons are based on information available at the time of writing. 2 3
Quality and control
For some years, there has been a move towards independent certification of the different links in the food chain
in pig industries in many European countries. This independent control has to ensure that both EU and national
legislation are complied with and, in certain cases, customer requirements as well.
Denmark and several other European countries have introduced quality standards for the production of pigs, and
virtually all quality systems have independent third-party control.
’DANISH’ production is a closed system based on live animals of native origin.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Quality system DANISH Product Standard (since 2007) Contract for UK Production Red Tractor Farm Assurance IKB Varken (since 1995) QS (since 2001)
QSG (since 1995) (since 1998) – Pigs Scheme (since 1999)
Coverage 95% including 15% under UK Contract 15% of production Approx. 90% of production Approx. 90% of production Approx. 95% of production
production.
Identification and traceability CHR number (herd number) CPH number Slap-marking on shoulders or UBN-number QS-ID
Ear tags approved ear tags On-farm movement record Ear tags Ear tags
Movement record required (eAML). Only British pigs slaughtered. Holland primarily slaughters Supplier number
Supplier number Dutch pigs Germany primarily slaughters
Only Danish pigs are slaughtered in Denmark. QS-pigs (incl. German, Danish and Dutch).
Audit Independent third party control every year or Independent third party audit every year. Independent third party control every year. Independent third party control every year. Independent third party audit, every year, every
every third year depending on audit result. Of which 10% are unannounced. second or every third year depending on audit
Risk-based audit by the authorities Risk-based audit by the authorities result.
(unannounced in 5% of the herds). (unannounced in 5% of the herds). The producer can choose between:
1. Unannounced standard audit
(48 hours warning)
2. Announced standard audit + an unannounced
audit in between two standard audits.
4 Danish pig production in a European context 5
Health and use of medicines
The frequency of veterinary visits varies widely between countries.
In Denmark, veterinarians may only prescribe medicine and, as a rule, are not permitted to sell it to producers.
All veterinary medicine and antibiotics must be purchased through a pharmacy. In this way, health advice and
the sale of antibiotics are kept separate, which means that there is no financial incentive for veterinarians to
prescribe antibiotics. In practice, this has resulted in a lower use of veterinary medicines in Danish pig production.
Common to all countries, however, is that the prescription must be based on a diagnosis carried out b
y a veteri-
narian and that the producer must record use of medicine in his herd.
In Denmark, medicine usage is recorded by animal group, herd owner and the prescribing veterinarian.
A Danish initiative, based on data recorded in the central database, VETSTAT (Veterinary Medicine Statistic), gives
the Danish authorities the possibility of issuing a ‘yellow card’ to herds that are either using or being prescribed
higher amounts of medicine.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Health advice Health advisory contracts are mandatory for herds of a certain size. Around Quarterly veterinary visits required. Health advisory contracts are mandatory. Each 2 annual veterinary visits are required. In case
90% of pig producers have entered into a health advisory contract with a pig producer must have a contract with one of finisher production, 1 annual visit per finisher
veterinarian. There are between 9 and 12 annual advisory visits to sow herds Trial measurement of ‘welfare outcome responsible veterinarian. batch is required.
and between 4 and 6 annual advisory visits to finisher herds. The number of measures’ in finishing herds (‘Real Welfare’). The veterinarian needs to visit each farm every
visits is increased as deemed necessary in matters relating to animal welfare, month and document his findings in a report.
use of medicines and animal health. All farms need a farm specific health plan and a
Herds with no health advisory contract must have at least one annual visit by a farm specific treatment plan, which has to be
veterinarian. updated on at least an annual basis.
If the antibiotic consumption limit is exceeded in any herd, this will trigger a
“yellow card” from the authorities, which will result in increased monitoring
and action plans will be required.
Health status All herds must have a declaration of their health status and Salmonella Level. Herd health plan required. No central health supervision No central health supervision
The herd’s health status is recorded in a database, which is in the public domain Quarterly veterinary reports submitted to
at www.spf-sus.dk. Denmark has Trichina-free status. Certification Body.
Prescription of medicine or antibiotics Vets may dispense and supply medicine if it is used within 5 days. Vets may not Vets may sell medicine. Vets can sell medicine. Antibiotics may only be Vets can sell medicine. Prescriptions require a
make more than 5% profit on medicines. Prescriptions require a veterinary diagnosis. prescribed for seven days. veterinary diagnosis.
Medical prescriptions require a diagnosis by the herd vet and must be dispensed Prescriptions require a veterinary diagnosis.
according to the vet’s instructions.
Registration of medicine usage Pig producers must register the herd’s medicine usage. Pig producers must register the herd´s medicine Pig producers must register the herd’s medicine Pig producers must register the herd’s medicine
usage. usage. usage.
Monitoring medicine usage Medicine consumption is registered in the VETSTATdatabase with information Central monitoring, but proposals under No central monitoring Central monitoring. Registration at herd level is
on the animal group, herd owner and veterinary level. consideration for monitoring at individual being worked on within the framework of the
The results are published each year in the DANMAP report. herd/species level industry.
Total usage of antibiotics – all meat types 42.6 mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) 51.2 mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) 113.9 mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) 211.5 mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass)
(2011)
6 Danish pig production in a European context 7
Feed
The regulations concerning feed are largely the same across all EU countries.
Since 2000, there has been an EU-wide ban on meat-and-bone meal (MBM) in feed for pigs.
Since 2006, the use of antibiotic growth promoters has been banned in the EU. However, Denmark, among a few
others, introduced earlier bans.
Country-by-country, specific rules apply. Use of blood products and animal fat are not permitted in the UK and
in Denmark in the Contract for UK Production. In Denmark fishmeal may not be used for finishers above 40kg
in weight.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Production Government control of feed industry. Feed must be purchased from Compound feeds may only be purchased from Feed can only be purchased from GMP+ Feed can only be purchased from QS approved
Danish authorised or QS approved feed companies. Official controls UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Schemes) approved feed companies. feed companies.
comprise one annual audit and 4-6 annual inspections. approved feed companies.
Home-mixers subject to government control. Raw materials must be from FEMAS approved
supply chain.
Home mixers must follow Industry Code of
Practice for On-farm Feeding.
Meat-and-bone meal Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
Blood products Permitted Not permitted Not permitted Permitted Permitted
Animal fat Permitted Not permitted Not permitted Permitted Permitted
Fat accounts for 1-3% of the feed mix and
both vegetable and animal fats are used.
Antibiotic growth promoters Not permitted since 2000 Not permitted since 2006 Not permitted since 2006 Not permitted since 2004
Catering by-products, food waste etc Food waste is permitted as long as it does not contain Catering waste not permitted, but certain food Food waste is permitted as long as it does not Food waste is permitted as long as it does not
protein from livestock. industry by-products allowed. contain protein from livestock. contain protein from livestock.
Fish meal Fish meal may not be used for finishers above 40kg. Fish meal permitted No restrictions on use of fish meal. No restrictions on use of fish meal.
GMO Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted
8 Danish pig production in a European context 9
Housing and welfare
Under EU law, all pregnant sows must be loose from four weeks after service to one week before expected
farrowing.
In the UK, sows must be loose-housed from weaning to seven days before expected farrowing. The same rules
apply in Denmark in the Contract for UK Production.
The Danish pig industry’s goal is that 10% of sows must be in free farrowing systems by 2020. From 2021, the
objective is that all newly built units should be designed for loose-housed lactating sows.
All countries have requirements for permanent access to manipulable materials, but there is a difference as to
which materials comply with the requirement in each individual country. In Denmark, the materials used must
be of natural origin (e.g. straw, wood, rope, etc). In Denmark there are also additional requirements for rooting
materials.
All countries have requirements for hospital pens. Denmark has stricter requirements for the design and the
number available.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Pregnant sows Housed in accordance with EU legislation. No confinement from weaning until 7 days No confinement from weaning to 7 days before Housed in accordance with EU legislation. Housed in accordance with EU legislation.
The pen must not be narrower than 3m. before predicted date of farrowing - otherwise predicted date of farrowing. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen.
There must be straw on the solid or drained requirements as per the Danish standard. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen in
flooring. indoor systems.
Around 40% of the UK breeding herd is kept
outdoors.
Farrowing pens Housed in line with EU legislation. Housed in line with EU legislation. Housed in line with EU legislation. Housed in line with EU legislation.
Appropriate nest building material in sufficient quantities is required, Appropriate nest building material in sufficient Appropriate nest building material in sufficient Appropriate nest building material in sufficient
unless this is technically impossible because of the slurry system used quantities is required, unless this is technically quantities is required unless this is technically quantities is required unless this is technically
at the farm. The piglets must have an area that is separate from the sow. impossible because of the slurry system used impossible because of the slurry system used at impossible because of the slurry system used at
If necessary, there must be a source of heat. at the farm. the farm. the farm.
The Danish pig industry’s aim is for 10% sows to be loose in the farrowing The piglets must have a thermally comfortable The piglets must have an area that is separate The piglets must have an area that is separate
pen by 2020. After 2021 all newly built farrowing units must be designed as and dry lying area. from the sow. There must be a source of heat. from the sow. There must be a source of heat.
loose systems.
Weaning of piglets After 28 days. Not before 28 days or 21 days for batch pro- After 28 days or 21 days for batch production After 28 days or 21 days for batch production
The average in 2012 was 31 days. duction
Enrichment and rooting materials All pigs must have permanent access to sufficient quantities of straw All pigs must have permanent access to sufficient All pigs must have permanent access to mani- All pigs must have permanent access to mani-
or other manipulable rooting and enrichment material. quantities of enrichment and other rooting pulable materials. pulable materials. The material must be harmless
Enrichment and rooting material must be of natural materials and in materials. Chains alone are not acceptable. Chains with plastic hooks are permitted. and adequate.
contact with the floor. Chains alone are not acceptable. Chains with plastic hooks are permitted.
Flooring for piglets and finishers Since 2000, it has been forbidden to build stalls with fully slatted floors. Fully slatted floors are permitted provided 40% solid floor for piglets and finishers required. Fully slatted floors are permitted
With regard to newly built stalls, at least half of the floor for piglets and minimum slat and opening widths are observed.
at least one-third of the floor for finishers must be solid or drained.
This will apply to all systems from 2015.
Sprinkling systems All pigs over 20kg (including sows) must have access to a sprinkling No regulation No regulation No regulation
system or another system that can keep the pigs cool.
Hospital pens There must be an adequate number of hospital pens so that there is Hospital pens required. Isolation of animals with Hospital pens must be well ventilated and Sick or injured animals must be isolated in a pen
always at least one pen readily available for sick animals. infectious diseases required. warm and dry. with dry and comfortable straw bedding.
The number of hospital pens must correspond to at least 2.5% of the
total number of indoor pen places for loose pregnant sows.
10 Danish pig production in a European context 11
Housing and welfare continued
Denmark has requirements for sprinkling facilities to be available to enable pigs to regulate their body tempe-
rature in hot weather. In Denmark, this requirement is for all pigs weighing over 20kg.
In Denmark, there are requirements for pain relief to be administered before castration of male piglets. Although
castration is not illegal in the UK, it is not permitted in the assurance schemes.
In most other EU countries, tail-docking is allowed within the first few days of life. In Denmark, only half of the
tail can be docked, and there must be evidence that other measures have been taken to minimise the risk of
outbreaks of tail-biting.
Since 2000, fully slatted floors have not been permitted in Denmark in new units and will be prohibited in all
weaner and finisher units in Denmark from July 2015.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Castration Pain relief must be administered before castration takes place. Castration is not permitted by RTA standards. Pain relief must be administered before castra- Pain relief must be administered before castra-
Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried out 7 days after According to UK legislation, castration is tion takes place. tion takes place.
farrowing. permitted up to the seventh day after farrowing Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried
out 7 days after farrowing. out 7 days after farrowing.
Tail docking Not permitted on a routine basis, but permitted if it can be documented Only within the first 72 hours after birth and not Docking of part of the tail no later than seven Docking of part of the tail no later than four days
that measures have been taken to prevent tail biting. Only permitted on a routine basis. days after birth. after birth.
between day 2 and 4 after birth and no more than half of the tail may be
docked.
Tooth reduction Tooth clipping is not permitted. Tooth grinding is allowed, but not on a Piglet teeth clipping or grinding is allowed up to Tooth clipping is allowed within the first seven Tooth clipping is allowed within the first seven
routine basis. Tooth grinding must take place within the first four days 72 hours after birth, but not on a routine basis. days after birth. days after birth.
after birth.
12 Danish pig production in a European context 13
The environment
EU legislation permits a maximum application of 170kg of nitrogen per hectare from livestock manure per annum.
Denmark has stricter requirements and the maximum permitted level is 140kg nitrogen/ha.
There are no specific requirements under EU legislation for the storage of slurry. To prevent evaporation of
gases into the environment from a slurry tank, Denmark requires that the slurry tank must be covered or have
a floating cover.
The minimum requirement for utilization of nitrogen in pig slurry in Denmark is 75%. In EU countries like Germany
and the Netherlands, the requirement is 60-65%.
Danish farmers have to establish an annual plan for the cultivation of crops and the handling of manure. They
must also draw up a special environmental report with all relevant information for the authorities to ensure
that environmental requirements are being adhered to.
Feed consumption is an important contributor to emissions of greenhouse gases. According to the life cycle
analysis of pork (LCA), grain cultivation is the main contributor.
Efficient feed conversion is crucial in terms of reducing environmental impact. The better the pig’s feed utilisation,
the lower the impact, because the pig needs less feed to grow each kg in weight.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Application of nitrate (N) Maximum 140kg N/hectare Maximum 170kg N/hectare, although up to 170kg N/hectare 170kg N/hectare
250kg N/hectare on grass
Storage of slurry Storage capacity must equate to at least 9 months’ production. 6 months’ storage capacity 6-9 months’ storage capacity – depending on Slurry storage requirements are not known
Slurry tank must be covered or have a floating lid. region – required. and there are no specific requirements in EU
legislation.
Slurry spreading and utilisation of nutrients Slurry spreading may only take place in the growing season, i.e. Apart for the period from August to November, Requirements covering time of spreading not Requirements covering time of spreading not
from 1 February to harvest and from harvest to 1 October for slurry may be spread more or less throughout known and there is no specific EU legislation. known and there is no specific EU legislation.
winter crops. the year. Requirements for 60-65% utilisation of nitrogen Requirements for 60% utilisation of nitrogen
The minimum requirement for the utilisation of nitrogen in the UK has an action plan requiring the utilisation of in the slurry. in the slurry.
slurry is 75 %. nitrogen in pig slurry of 35%
.
Feed conversion: Kg feed/kg carcase incl. 2.92 2.85 2.62 2.81
sow carcase weight. Comprises feed for sows,
piglets and finishers (2012)
14 Danish pig production in a European context 15
Transport
At a general level, all countries follow the EU’s regulations regarding transport of live animals (1/2005).
For Denmark, the meat industry has taken initiatives to improve animal welfare and controls during transport.
All pigs are transported in small groups and, where possible, in the same pen groups on the farm, as this means
less stress and calmer animals. In addition, Danish hauliers are required to provide mechanical ventilation in all
new lorries. This is considered essential for pig welfare during transport.
All mortality during transport from farm to the slaughterhouse is recorded in Denmark: in 2012 it was at the
very low level of 0.006%.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Vehicle requirements The abattoirs have introduced new requirements for vehicles RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Certain requirements additional to EU legislation, Rules based on EU legislation.
– such as mechanical ventilation, GPS systems, drinking water Rules based on EU legislation. e.g. GPS on all vehicles.
and sprinkler systems.
Compliance with the requirements is checked on arrival at the
abattoir.
Group handling of finishers during transport Stocking densities according to EU legislation. RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Stocking densities according to EU legislation.
Pigs to be transported in groups of approx. 15 animals and, Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Mixing is permitted. Mixing is permitted. There are maximum group
wherever possible, in pen groups from the farm. Mixing is permitted sizes for the transportation of piglets (up to 120
for 10kg pigs and up to 50 for 30kg pigs).
Training of drivers From the early 1990s, everyone involved in the handling of animals RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Training requirements in place since 2008 via Training requirements in place since 2008 via EU
during transport was required to attend a course. This course was Training requirements according to EU legislation EU legislation. legislation.
replaced by formal training under regulation 1/2005, which came into
force on 1 January 2007.
Mortality during transport 0.006% in 2012 No statistics available No statistics available No statistics available
16 Danish pig production in a European context 17
Slaughterhouse
The environment at the slaughterhouse is important to ensure proper handling of the animals which in turn is
crucial to delivering good meat quality. Research has shown that the handling of pigs in small groups, and, as far
as possible, in stable groups (where the pigs are bred and transported together), provides for calmer pigs and
therefore less stress. In small groups, pigs calm down more quickly and the level of aggressive behaviour is kept
to a minimum, even in cases where pigs from different units are put together. Thus, it is good animal welfare
practice for pigs to be kept at the slaughterhouse in small, stable groups right through to stunning.
In Denmark, group handling of pigs prior to slaughter is common practice, and is becoming more widespread in
other countries.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Lairage Group handling, which means that, as far as possible, pigs are RTA Meat Processing Scheme. No group handling. Pigs are mixed. No group handling. Pigs are mixed.
not mixed. All pigs are housed in small groups (approx. 15 animals). Mixing allowed, but some group handling
Training Training of abattoir workers in animal welfare and handling of RTA Meat Processing Scheme. EU legislation has required training for Animal Staff are to be trained in line with the provisions
animals is required. EU legislation has required training for Animal Welfare Officers from 2013. of the Infection Protection Act and this training
Welfare Officers from 2013. must be documented. Such training courses
are to be staged at least once a year in the QS
scheme.
18 Danish pig production in a European context 19Food safety
Since 1993, Denmark has had salmonella controls that cover the entire chain from ‘farm to table’. The incidence
of Salmonella in fresh meat is very low. In 2012, the incidence in Danish pork was just 1.2%. The incidence of
Salmonella in Denmark is estimated to be low compared to most other European countries.
According to EU regulations, all countries must have a national residue monitoring programme, and the results
must be reported annually.
There have been no positive analyses for hormones, heavy metals or pesticides in Danish pig meat, since the
current Danish monitoring programme began in 1985.
Denmark/Danish Denmark/UK Contract England Holland Germany
Salmonella monitoring Whole chain Salmonella surveillance and control programme since UK Zoonoses National Control Programme Monitoring via IKB system. Surveillance via QS-system.
1993 including feed, breeding herds, sow and finisher herds. (ZNCP) now only includes on-farm salmonella Comprises monitoring of finisher herds and fresh Comprises monitoring of feed, finisher herds and
Public declaration of Salmonella levels in breeding, sow and finisher risk assessment, required by RTA Pigs Scheme meat surveillance. fresh meat surveillance.
herds.
Financial penalties for Level 2 and 3 herds. In addition, special transport
and slaughtering of Level 3 pigs.
Fresh meat surveillance, including sampling of pig carcases at abattoir
(carcase swab test).
Prevalence of Salmonella (fresh pork) According to EFSA (2008) prevalance is 3.3% (before chilling). In Denmark According to EFSA (2008) study, Salmonella Holland did not participate in the EFSA (2008) Germany did not participate in the EFSA (2008)
salmonella testing occurs after chilling, which gives a more accurate picture prevalence on carcases was 13.5% (before study. study.
of the actual prevalence of Salmonella in fresh meat. chilling). Current results not available. Current results not available.
In 2012 prevalence was 1.2%. Testing still occurs at abattoir, but no recent
national data is available.
Residue monitoring National monitoring programme involving around 20,000 official samples National monitoring programme in accordance National monitoring programme in accordance National monitoring programme in accordance
per year. (According to EU regulations, 0.05% of the number of slaughtered with EU regulations. with EU regulations. with EU regulations.
animals per year must be tested, which corresponds to 9,500 in DK 2012).
In addition are approximately 14,000 own control testings (2012 figure)
for antibiotic residues.
Residue surveillance results 2012 figure - Number of positives above the MRL threshold: EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2011) EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2008) EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2008)
Growth hormones: 0 Growth hormones: 0 Growth hormones: 0 Growth hormones: 7
Heavy metals: 0 Heavy metals: 0 Heavy metals: 1 Heavy metals: 39
Antibiotics: 1 finisher and 4 sows Antibiotics: 4 Antibiotics: 6 Antibiotics: 327
Banned substances: 0 Banned substances: 0 Banned substances: 3 Banned substances: 1
Pesticides containing chlorine, including dioxins: 0
20 Danish pig production in a European context 2122 Danish pig production in a European context 23
Danish Agriculture & Food Council Axelborg, Axeltorv 3 T +45 3339 4000 E agricultureandfood@lf.dk DK-1609 Copenhagen V F +45 3339 4141 W www.agricultureandfood.co.uk
You can also read
