Dossier

Tail biting and tail docking

Routine tail docking, although banned in the EU, is persistent in conventional pig farming as it reduces the risk of tail biting. Tail biting is an abnormal behaviour of pigs related to suboptimal housing and/or management involving stress and reduced welfare. It is associated with an inability to perform species-specific behaviours related to exploration (enrichment) and searching for food (rooting).

Source photo: © WUR

This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with issues related to tail docking and tail biting 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.

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The legal requirements related to tail docking can be found in two Council Directives, and in two supporting documents from the Commission.

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Tail biting is an abnormal behaviour, involving the biting of pigs in the tails of their penmates, resulting in tail injuries. It is a response to boredom, insufficient stimulation, and frustration related to negative environmental and management factors that can increase pigs’ stress levels. Tail biting is a multi-factorial problem, filling up a ‘cumulative risk bucket’. At a certain point, the bucket overflows, and tail biting starts.

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Welfare indicators can be used to monitor animal welfare on-farm and check compliance with legislation regarding tail docking and tail biting. Tail biting may be assessed on-farm, or post mortem at the slaughterhouse after scalding. Indicators to assess the risks for tail biting cover the six key risk-factor areas. In EURCAW-Pigs’ indicator factsheets, several important welfare indicators are described, by suggesting an inspection and scoring method, and describing the underlying welfare concern and legal requirements.

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Active stall fatteners: Adequate enrichment - Smart4Life

BMEL

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First aid for tail biting Adequate enrichment - BZL

BZL

Preventing tail biting: see all inspiring examples

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.

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