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S.I. No. 7/2002 - European Communities (Welfare of Calves and Pigs) Regulations 2002
Table of Provisions (18)
Statutory Text (18 Articles)
1. Subject to Regulation 5, accommodation for pigs shall be constructed in such way as to allow each pig lie down, rest, and stand up without difficulty. Each pig shall have a clean place in which to rest and shall, unless isolated for veterinary reasons, be able to see other pigs.
2. If pigs are kept together, measures shall be taken to prevent fighting that goes beyond normal behaviour. Pigs which show persistent aggression towards others or are victims of such aggression shall be isolated or kept separate from the group.
3. All pigs shall be provided with an appropriate diet adapted to their age, weight and behavioural and physiological needs, to promote good health and welfare.
4. All pigs shall be fed at least once a day. Where pigs are housed in groups and not fed
ad libitum
or by an automatic feeding system, each pig shall have access to the food at the same time as the others in the group.
5. All pigs over 2 weeks of age shall have access to a sufficient quantity of fresh water or be able to satisfy their fluid intake needs by drinking other liquids.
6. In addition to measures normally taken to prevent tailbiting and other vices and in order to enable them to satisfy their behavioural needs, all pigs, taking in account environment and stocking density, shall be able to obtain straw or any other suitable material or object.
Part II
BOARS
7. Boar pens shall be sited and constructed so as to allow the boar to turn around and to hear, smell and see other pigs, and to provide for clean resting areas. The lying area shall be dry and comfortable. The minimum pen size for an adult boar shall be 6 square metres. However, a larger area shall be provided where pens are used for service.
Part III.
SOWS AND GILTS
8. Pregnant sows and gilts shall, if necessary, be treated against external and internal parasites. If they are placed in farrowing crates, pregnant sows and gilts shall be thoroughly clean.
9. They shall be provided with a clean, adequately drained, comfortable lying area and shall, if necessary, be given suitable nesting material.
10. An unobstructed area behind the sow or gilt shall be available for the ease of natural or assisted farrowing.
11. Farrowing crates where sows are kept loose shall have some means of protecting the piglets, such as farrowing rails.
Part IV.
PIGLETS
12. If necessary, piglets shall be provided with a source of heat and a solid, dry and comfortable lying area away from the sow where all of them can rest at the same time.
13. Where a farrowing crate is used, the piglets shall have sufficient space to be able to be suckled without difficulty.
14. If practised, the castration of male pigs aged over four weeks may be carried out only under anaesthetic by a veterinary surgeon.
15. Tail docking or tooth clipping shall not be carried out routinely except where injuries to sows' teats or to other pigs' ears or tails have occurred as a result of not carrying out these procedures. Where tooth clipping appears necessary this shall be carried out within seven days of birth.
16. Piglets shall not be weaned from the sow at less than three weeks of age unless the welfare or health of the dam or piglets would otherwise be adversely affected.
Part V.
WEANERS AND REARING PIGS
17. Pigs shall be placed in groups as soon as possible after weaning. They should be kept in stable groups with as little mixing as possible.
GIVEN
under my Official Seal, 10 January 2002
Joe Walsh
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation)
These Regulations specify the accommodation requirements for the rearing and fattening of calves and pigs. They also lay down rules regarding appropriate diet and inspection of the calves and pigs to ensure their health and welfare.
1
O.J. L 340 of 11.12. 1991, p.28.
2
O.J. L 340 of 11.12.1991, p.33.
3
O.J. L 25 of 28.1.1997, p.24
4
O.J. L 76 of 18.3.1997, p.30
1
O.J. L 340 of 11.12. 1991, p.28.
3
O.J. L 25 of 28.1.1997, p.24
4
O.J. L 76 of 18.3.1997, p.30
2
O.J. L 340 of 11.12.1991, p.33.
I, Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by
section 3
of the
European Communities Act 1972
(No. 27 of 1972), and for the purpose of giving effect to Council Directive No. 91/629/EEC of 19 November 1991
1
, Council Directive 91/630/EEC of 19 November 1991
2
Council Directive No. 97/2/EC of 20 January 1997
3
and Commission Decision No. 97/182/EC of 24 February 1997
4
, hereby make the following regulations:-
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