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.
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).
About this dossier
Legislation
The legal requirements related to tail docking can be found in two Council Directives, and in two supporting documents from the Commission.
Knowledge
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.
Tools for welfare inspection
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.
Inspiring examples
For good practices of implementation of EU legislation, seen in a full systems context, inspiring examples and demonstrators are identified. The examples of commercial farms given here address some good practices regarding keeping pigs with intact tails. Demonstration of good practices are excellent ways and proven methods of dissemination of knowledge, exchanging ideas, harmonizing assessments, and changing attitudes.
Active stall fatteners: Adequate enrichment - Smart4Life
BMEL
First aid for tail biting Adequate enrichment - BZL
BZL
Training courses
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.
More information
Contact
Comment on this dossier, or do you have a question about Tail biting and tail docking? Leave a comment or contact us.