1. The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) was established in 1979. Its terms of reference are to keep under review the welfare of farm animals on agricultural land, at market, in transit and at the place of slaughter, and to advise Agriculture Ministers of any legislative or other changes that may be necessary. The Council has the freedom to consider any topic falling within this remit.
2. FAWC has produced one other report concerning the welfare of pigs which was the Assessment of Pig Production Systems (1988).
3. The Council was asked by the GB Agriculture Departments to consider the on-farm welfare of pigs kept outdoors and to make recommendations to Ministers. Accordingly, a working group of FAWC members was established and asked to provide advice to the Council. This report summarises the study and makes recommendations on behalf of the Council. Our membership is at Appendix A.