Dossier

Climate control and space allowance during transport

Climate control and space allowance during transport is important, e.g. for the homeostatic control of body temperature of the animals. Thermoregulation is necessary for pig welfare (as it affects thermal comfort, heat stress, cold stress and survival). The pig’s ability to thermoregulate depends on maintaining a balance between heat production and heat loss. It is affected by environmental variables like ambient temperature, air speed and humidity. Space allowance during transport is furthermore important to give the animals the opportunity to change body positions, access to water on long journeys and to lie down and rest. Ideally, enough space should also be provided to move away from aggressors during fights.

Source photo: © Aarhus University

This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with issues related to climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is meant to support Competent Authorities, and is not legally binding.

Each EURCAW-Pigs dossier addresses the following items: "Legislation", "Welfare indicators", "Knowledge", "Inspiring examples" and "Training courses". This dossier is based on EURCAW-Pigs “Review of climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs”. Two key areas are particularly relevant for the welfare of pigs during transport and are therefore important to focus on during inspections, i.e. Climate control and Space allowance.

Transporting cull sows to the abattoir includes specific welfare risks that are associated e.g. with the higher weight (> 250 kg) and reduced fitness associated with the reasons for culling. Sows are more vulnerable to heat stress than pigs of lower body size. This higher susceptibility to heat stress of sows is addressed in the "Review of transport of sows" developed by EURCAW-Pigs, and a specific knowledge section in this dossier is dedicated to this topic.

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The legal requirements related to transport of pigs can be found in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. In EURCAW-Pigs' Thematic factsheet on climate control and space allowance [bijgevoegd voor opname in edepot], the relevant legal requirements are summarized and presented in conjunction with the two focus areas for inspections.

Since 1991, the EU has provided a common legal framework on animal transport which was then updated by Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. It came into effect on the 1st of January 2007, and aims to provide a level playing field for operators while ensuring sufficient protection for the animals being transported.

A description on the specific requirements - as paraphrases from the regulation - is given in EURCAW-Pigs’ review of climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs.

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Based on the pigs’ physiological and behavioural needs, the welfare of animals during transport is for a significant part dependent on being able to i) thermoregulate effectively, including being able to access sources of water, and ii) on the ability of the animals to perform basic behaviours such as standing and lying, to adopt a normal position, to minimize risks for injuries, stress and panic. Good and better practices in pig transport were provided by e.g., the Animal Transport Guides project.

Guidance

In EURCAW-Pigs’Review of climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs, suggestions for improved practises for each of two key areas are provided:

Climate/thermal control:

A good body condition is required to act as both an insulator and an additional energy reserve for creating body heat in cold temperatures. In cold weather, recommendations include, e.g., provision of additional bedding or insulation, increasing weather protection for animals on vehicles, delaying the journey until there are warmer temperatures.

Pigs have a very limited number of sweat glands, and therefore the major way pigs thermoregulate is via behavioural adaptation. In hot weather, recommendations include, e.g. increasing the space allowance by at least 30%, being able to access sources of water, provision of electrolyte solutions (required on long journeys), use of showers, sprinklers or spraying systems, when the temperature is over 25 °C.

Space allowance:

Pigs may be motivated to lie down during transport, and after some time, they will do so if they have enough space. Following Council Regulation EC 1/2005 {Annex I, Chapter VII, D. Pigs}: “all pigs must at least be able to lie down and stand up in their natural position.” In order to comply with these requirements, the loading density for pigs of around 100 kg has been specified as not exceeding 235 kg/m² (0.43 m²/pig weighing 100 kg).

The space above the animal (deck height) should be enough to ensure a normal standing position of the animal during transport. Additionally, deck height is important to ensure proper ventilation. SCAHAW recommends that in non-ventilated vehicles 30 cm should be available above the withers, and 15 cm in ventilated vehicles. A minimum ceiling height should also be provided to rescue animals in emergencies.

In the next section, welfare indicators are described, helping to identify welfare issues.

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The recent EFSA opinion on transport of pigs (2022) considers that sows are more vulnerable to heat stress than pigs of lower body size. Among reasons given for this difference are their large body size and relative low surface area: body weight ratio, higher energy intake relative to maintenance requirement (in lactating sows), and higher subcutaneous fat tissues. The specific welfare risks of transporting cull sows to the abattoir - including the sensitivity of cull sows towards heat stress - are addressed in a EURCAW-Pigs review (see ‘Show more’).

Heat stress

Sows are considered more vulnerable towards transport than most other pig categories. Among the primary concerns for the welfare of cull sows during transport are (a) the sensitivity of these animals towards heat stress; (b) fitness for transport; and (c) the tendency of sows to fight when mixed with unfamiliar conspecifics.

The reproductive status of sows affects their susceptibility to heat stress, and ongoing milk production probably is a risk factor compared to dry animals. Sows can be sent to slaughter at all stages of the reproductive cycle (except for the last 10% of pregnancy (according to Council Regulation 1/2005), and in some MSs, sending sows to slaughter in the last 30% of pregnancy is prohibited by national legislation. In the days just before and after weaning of the piglets, lactating sows are especially sensitive to heat stress, as their milk production is very high at this stage.

In the Review on transport of sows, the scientific knowledge about sow transport is reviewed against the background of the relevant European legislation, including a discussion of preparation for transport, how sows are picked-up by vehicles and the journey to an abattoir. The final part of this review covers relevant legislation as well as the proposal of potential indicators of sow welfare during transport.

Source photo: ©Mette Herskin - Aarhus University

Welfare indicators can be used to facilitate welfare inspections during transport of pigs. For two key areas to focus on during inspections, EURCAW-Pigs identified relevant indicators to assess the welfare of pigs. Each indicator is described in an indicator factsheet, by suggesting an inspection and scoring method, and summarizing the underlying welfare concern and legal requirements.

Assessment of welfare of pigs

Indicators to assess climate/thermal control:

Panting and changes in respiratory rate: Changes in respiratory rate and panting are thermoregulatory behaviours which can indicate heat stress. Pigs have a very limited number of functional sweat glands. Therefore, the major way pigs thermoregulate is via behavioural adaptation, e.g. increase in respiratory rate.
Huddling and shivering: Animal-based indicators of cold stress include shivering (vibration of body) and huddling (lying on top of pig(s)).

Indicators to assess space allowance are:

Fatigued/exhausted animals: Animals are unable to get up or move, and show panting or reduced response to stimuli/reduced vigilance.
Dead on arrival: Animals which are found dead on the floor in the vehicle or die during unloading. Space allowance and temperature are connected: high stocking density is a risk factor for overheating, i.e. especially in combination with high temperatures the risk for mortality is increased.

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In collaboration with national training bodies and national reference centers on animal welfare, EURCAW-Pigs develops training guides for the different welfare topics as standards for national training in EU Member States.

Learning goals

On the subject climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs:

Knowledge about the intention of the EU-legislation (climate control and space allowance – overlapping EU-legislation on food/water during transport).
Updated knowledge about the biology and needs of pigs in relation to transport.
Knowledge about how the welfare of different production-categories of pigs are affected during transport.
Training in reflection on difficult terms, e.g. “animal welfare”, “suffering”, “unnecessary suffering”.
Training in reflection on the dilemmas between the needs of the animals and what the legislation says about climate control and space allowance.
Tools for calibration and practical training in calibration – using the most validated indicators available.
Knowledge about indicators useful for checking the compliance and their strengths/weaknesses, if there are validated indicators available.
Knowledge on good practices/tools to be used for transport inspection.
Knowledge about challenges in the communication with the farmers during inspection.

Inspection-driven welfare improvement

Additionally, EURCAW-Pigs provides examples of training plans and materials used in different Member States in English, to the extent possible, and training suggestions for improvement of communication skills and ways to support inspection-driven welfare improvement. This is presented on the training overview page.