Ahead to APPENDIX A: MEMBERSHIP OF THE FARM ANIMAL WELFARE COUNCIL |
36. The industry should take steps to ensure training is validated (paragraph 39).
37. The industry should consider the development of computer models to assist with the selection of a suitable site for outdoor pig-keeping (paragraph 45).
38. We recommend that the set-aside rules are modified in regard to their effect on tenant outdoor pig farmers and urge the Government to open discussions with the European Commission on this point (paragraph 70).
39. We recommend that research is commissioned to establish the age at which pigs are nutritionally, immununologically and psychologically best suited to weaning (paragraph 94).
40. Research should be carried out to ascertain the optimum size and design of farrowing huts, including the benefits of insulation, ventilation and ease of management by stockmen (paragraph 95).
41. We endorse the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 requirement which states that "sick or injured pigs shall, where necessary, be isolated in suitable accommodation with dry, comfortable bedding" (paragraph 106).
42. We recommend that the Government commissions research regarding the re-introduction of boars back into social groups after removal for treatment. Such research should lead to clear practical advice on whether, and if so in what way, boars should be re-introduced to paddocks after treatment (paragraph 108).
43. We recommend that research is undertaken to discover the causes of stone-chewing in outdoor pig herds (paragraph 112).
44. Research should be undertaken to establish the nutritional requirements of young pigs on outdoor units with specific reference to the implications of their not receiving supplementary feed prior to weaning (paragraph 122).
45. Research should be undertaken to establish the needs of sucking pigs for water with a view to the provision of fresh water to those piglets which are retained in farrowing huts by fenders. Should this research indicate a need for water further work should be commissioned to devise a means to provide water in the fender. We would expect that all such research should be completed within five years of this report (paragraph 128).
46. Research should be undertaken to establish the extent of a pig's motivation to root and the effects of depriving the animal of this natural behaviour by nose-ringing (paragraph 144).
47. Practical research should be undertaken into the most effective, least painful and minimally invasive methods of nose-ringing. We expect this research to be completed within five years of this report when we intend to review the evidence and consider whether to recommend to Ministers that nose-ringing of pigs be banned (paragraph 145).
48. Research should be undertaken to establish whether practical methods could be developed to introduce analgesia or anaesthesia to reduce the level of short-term and long-term pain caused by teeth-clipping and tail-docking. We would expect this work to be completed within five years of this report at which point we would wish to consider whether the operations should be prohibited (paragraph 146).