Specific challenges during pig welfare inspection on farm and at transport

Across the EU, 1% of farms in receipt of EU subsidies must be inspected annually and failure to comply with legislation can involve penalties that to a lesser or greater degree reduce the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies that farmers receive. The connection between CAP payments and compliance with legislation is critical to improving animal welfare. Transport was continually identified as an area that posed unique challenges to inspectors and compromised the welfare of pigs. Transport inspections were planned to be included in the initial fieldwork however due to logistical and practical challenges, it was necessary to conduct further research into pig welfare inspection on farm and at transport.

Challenges and needs of inspectors

The report is designed to support the work of inspectors and highlight the challenges that inspectors face during inspection. The recommendations provided are designed to mitigate the challenges, alleviate the pressure, and support inspectors at work and safeguard pig welfare. Understanding the challenges of conducting transport inspections of short and long journeys (>8hrs) conducted on farm, at the slaughterhouse, and at the roadside is the primary focus of the report in addition to furthering our understanding of the demands of farm welfare inspection.