Executive Summary of the Staff Working Document (2022)328.

This plain language summary (PLS) is a simplified communication of EFSA’s Opinion on the welfare of pigs on farm. The purpose of this PLS is to enhance transparency and inform interested parties on EFSA’s work on the topic using simplified language.

This plain language summary (PLS) is a simplified communication of EFSA’s Opinion on the welfare of pigs during transport. The purpose of this PLS is to enhance transparency and inform interested parties on EFSA’s work on the topic using simplified language

The EU Reference Centre of Animal Welfare (EURCAW) was established in 2018 by DG SANTE to support EU Member States on issues related to the pig welfare legislation. As part of its activities, EURCAW-Pigs organises annual meetings with a Reflection Board, including representatives of the pig supply chain, related professional organisations and civil society organisations. The Reflection Board is informed about the activities of EURCAW-Pigs and is asked to reflect on them and to support the Centre with technical information.

EURCAW-Pigs answers the following questions from a Ministry of one of the Member States: Is there scientific knowledge on when a pig can be considered as adult? And how can adulthood be defined in castrated and ovariectomised pigs?

In relation to space allowances, we sometimes struggle with the calculation of stocking density in commercial situations as pigs are placed in a pen at a certain weight and as they grow the stocking density increases over time. In some situations a small number of pigs are removed over time to keep the stocking density appropriate, in other situations no pigs are removed (due to all in all out policy). This creates challenges for calculating and regulating stocking density at different stages of the production cycle.

EURCAW-Pigs received the following questions from a veterinary inspector at a government of one of the Member States: • What are the optimal space dimensions in a loose farrowing pen to reduce overlaying of piglets by the sow? • Based on current thinking is there a minimum free farrowing pen size whereby overlaying of piglets is minimised?

The three EU Reference Centres for Animal Welfare (EURCAWs) met for the first time with National Reference Centres (NRCs) and National Supporting Bodies (NSBs) designated by EU governments. Aim of the meeting – organized online on July 1, 2021 - was to start developing a useful network and identification of possible collaboration/synergies. In total 61 participants from 21 Member States participated, including 42 delegates from the NRCs and NSBs, and 19 delegates from the three EURCAWs. This document contains all powerpoint slides that were showed during this meeting.

The three EU Reference Centres for Animal Welfare (EURCAWs) met for the first time with National Reference Centres (NRCs) and National Supporting Bodies (NSBs) designated by EU governments. Aim of the meeting – organized online on July 1, 2021 - was to start developing a useful network and identification of possible collaboration/synergies. In total 61 participants from 21 Member States participated, including 42 delegates from the NRCs and NSBs, and 19 delegates from the three EURCAWs.