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Pigs Standards

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE Version 5.2

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PW.AH.1 PW.AH.2 PW.AH.3 PW.AH.3.1 PW.AH.5 PW.AH.5.1 PW.AH.6 PW.AH.7 PW.AH.7.1 PW.AH.8 PW.AH.8.1 PW.AH.8.3 PW.AH.9 PW.AH.9.1 PW.AH.9.2 PW.AH.9.3 PW.AH.9.4 PW.AH.9.5 PW.AH.9.6 PW.AH.9.7 PW.AH.10 PW.AH.10.1 PW.AH.12 PW.AH.13
Glossary

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

R This icon indicates that a record is required.

PW.AH.1 Key

A Veterinary Health Plan (VHP) to proactively manage and improve health and welfare of livestock must be established and implemented

How you will be measured

PW.AH.1.a

The plan is unit specific

PW.AH.1.b

Plan is easily accessible to all persons involved in the care and management of the pigs

PW.AH.1.c

Reviewed at least quarterly by the designated vet (or another vet from the same practice) to ensure it is up to date

PW.AH.1.d

Contains a Salmonella control plan

PW.AH.1.e

Details the husbandry procedures performed on the unit

PW.AH.1.f

Contains an action plan for dealing with injurious behaviour (e.g. tail, flank, vulva damage), which details: - treatment and management of injured pigs - short-term measures to be taken to limit further injurious behaviour

PW.AH.1.g

Contains a policy for treating and managing shoulder sores (indoor breeding units only)

PW.AH.1.i

The VHP is being followed
R

Veterinary Health Plan
(review date signed by vet)

PW.AH.2

Records of the health and performance of livestock must be maintained (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PW.AH.2.a

Records of breeding and/or rearing herd performance are kept

PW.AH.2.b

Incidents of injurious behaviour (e.g. tail, flank, vulva damage), possible causes and interventions taken are recorded

PW.AH.2.c

Incidents of facial scarring/udder damage are recorded

PW.AH.2.d

Mortality records for breeding and post-weaning growing stock are kept, detailing: - date - pig type - identity/location (e.g. sow number; e.g. house A pen 5) - dead or euthanased* - suspected reason

PW.AH.2.e

Mortality records for suckling pigs include summary of daily deaths only

PW.AH.2.f

Overall mortality figures are recorded including (where relevant): - pre-weaning mortality - sow and gilt mortality - rearing/finishing mortality

PW.AH.2.g

Records include slaughterhouse data regarding: - dead-on-arrivals - condemnations - tail damage (where reported)

PW.AH.2.h

Health and performance records are kept for at least 2 years
R
  • Performance records
  • Injurious behaviour records
  • Facial scarring/udder damage records
  • Mortality records

PW.AH.3

Health and performance records must be regularly reviewed

How you will be measured

PW.AH.3.a

Records are reviewed by the producer at least quarterly

PW.AH.3.1

It is recommended to participate in a scheme that monitors and reports carcase conditions

PW.AH.5

The health and welfare of livestock must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

PW.AH.5.a

All stock is inspected as frequently as necessary and at least once a day

PW.AH.5.1

Actions must be taken to rectify all issues raised by vets in Quarterly Veterinary Reports (QVR)

How you will be measured

PW.AH.5.1.a

Evidence that action has been taken to address any issues identified or recommendations made
R

QVRs for previous 4 quarters

PW.AH.6 Key

Livestock must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress

How you will be measured

PW.AH.6.a

Pigs are handled and moved calmly without excessive force

PW.AH.6.b

No goads in use or present on farm

PW.AH.6.c

Movement boards are only used to encourage pigs in the right direction and for blocking gaps

PW.AH.6.d

Attempts to move pigs should only be made when there is a clear area for them to move into

PW.AH.7

There must be a designated person who has oversight of animal welfare on the unit

How you will be measured

PW.AH.7.a

Person is named in the VHP

PW.AH.7.b

Person oversees compliance with scheme requirements and best practice in relation to: - husbandry procedures - handling and moving of pigs - identification and management of sick and injured pigs - euthanasia
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VHP

PW.AH.7.1

A copy of the relevant government Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs must be available to all persons involved in the care and management of the pigs

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Hard or electronic copy of relevant Code of Practice

PW.AH.8 Key

Sick or injured livestock must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged

How you will be measured

PW.AH.8.a

There is evidence of systems in place to ensure sick and injured livestock are identified and managed appropriately. Where required they are promptly treated and/or moved to segregation facilities or humanely euthanased

PW.AH.8.1

Appropriate facilities must be provided for the segregation or isolation of sick or injured livestock (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PW.AH.8.1.a

Facilities are managed and maintained in accordance with the Scheme standards for housing and facilities, feed and water

PW.AH.8.1.a.a

If not permanently available, facilities can be set up within 1 hour

PW.AH.8.1.b

Unless passageways are adapted to become a non-thoroughfare and to meet Scheme standards, they may only ever be used as a short-term isolation facility for up to 1 hour

PW.AH.8.1.c

Lame pigs that have been segregated from the main pen and pigs with a traumatic injury have bedding or some other form of cushioning to prevent slipping and pressure sores

PW.AH.8.1.d

Cleaned, washed and disinfected between batches (for batch systems) or at least twice a year

PW.AH.8.3

Issues with injurious behaviour (e.g. tail, flank, vulva damage) must be identified and managed

How you will be measured

PW.AH.8.3.a

Managed in accordance with the injurious behaviour action plan in the VHP

PW.AH.9

Persons conducting euthanasia of livestock must be trained and deemed competent

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.a

Training covers the following learning outcomes: - the recommendations of the latest version of the PVS Casualty Pig - the handling and restraint of pigs before they are euthanised - the acceptable methods of emergency euthanasia of pigs of different sizes - the parameters for the different methods (e.g. position of shot) - the signs of an effective stun/kill and what to do if the method is ineffective - maintenance of equipment - emergency procedures

PW.AH.9.b

Training in euthanasia includes theory and practical elements and can be delivered by: - experienced vet registered with the RT scheme - Humane Slaughter Association On-Farm Killing or Slaughter of Red Meat Animals – Theory course (supplemented with supervised practical training)

PW.AH.9.c

Whilst persons are being trained they are always under direct supervision when undertaking euthanasia, of either a vet or a suitable trained and competent person as signed off by a vet

PW.AH.9.d

Competence is assessed and signed off by an experienced vet registered with the RT scheme

PW.AH.9.e

Competence of all persons that carry out euthanasia is reassessed by the vet at least every 2 years and documented in training records
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  • Record of training documented in training records
  • List of those deemed competent in VHP/Euthanasia Policy
  • Record of reassessment of competency in training records

PW.AH.9.1

A documented Euthanasia Policy must be in place

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.1.a

Policy includes: - methods used for all classes of pigs - names of persons signed off as competent in each method (may be listed separately in VHP) - details of checks for effectiveness of euthanasia - actions to be taken in the event of an ineffective kill - contingency procedures in the event of equipment failure or unavailability of a trained and competent person - equipment maintenance requirements, including frequency, and record of checks

PW.AH.9.1.b

Only legally permitted methods are used

PW.AH.9.1.c

Policy is signed by: - the designated person responsible for animal welfare to confirm understanding - the farm’s designated vet to confirm it is appropriate

PW.AH.9.1.d

Policy is followed
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  • Euthanasia Policy
  • Euthanasia equipment maintenance records

PW.AH.9.2

All persons that euthanase pigs must be familiar with the content of the latest version of the Pig Veterinary Society Casualty Pig document

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.2.a

Document is signed by all to confirm understanding
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PVS Casualty Pig

PW.AH.9.3

Where a mechanical device is used for piglet euthanasia it must be appropriate and used humanely

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.3.a

Only devices delivering a minimum of 27.7 joules (J) energy (as described in manufacturer’s specification) are used

PW.AH.9.3.b

Piglets are restrained appropriately, as described by the manufacturer, to ensure maximum energy transfer

PW.AH.9.4

Steps must be taken to carry out euthanasia of pigs in a location that avoids unnecessary suffering of the animal and distress to potential onlookers (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.4.a

Non-ambulatory pigs, which are unable to stand or rise unaided, are euthanised without being moved, unless they can be moved with full body support and without causing further suffering

PW.AH.9.5

Checks must be made to ensure method of stunning/euthanasia is effective and if deemed ineffective the process is repeated or a back-up method is applied (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.5.a

Checks are carried out promptly after stunning/euthanasia to ensure loss of consciousness and no signs of life

PW.AH.9.5.b

Euthanasia is performed again immediately should the first attempt fail

PW.AH.9.6

A person with training and competence in relevant methods of euthanasia must be present on the unit or able to attend within 60 minutes

PW.AH.9.7

A Welfare at the Time of Killing (WATOK) licence must be held where required

How you will be measured

PW.AH.9.7.a

Outside contractors who carry out euthanasia on the unit (excluding vets) hold a WATOK licence
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WATOK licence or written confirmation that a licence is held

PW.AH.10

The unit must retain the services of a designated veterinary surgeon that has overall responsibility for the veterinary care of the pigs

How you will be measured

PW.AH.10.a

Only vets registered with Red Tractor Assurance and with current Pig Veterinary Society membership can assess farms against relevant aspects of these Standards

PW.AH.10.1 Key

The designated vet (or nominated vet from the same practice) must undertake quarterly visits to the unit

How you will be measured

PW.AH.10.1.a

A Quarterly Veterinary Report (QVR) is completed by the vet for each visit and submitted to the farm’s Certification Body

PW.AH.10.1.b

Quarterly vet visits are never more than 20 weeks apart
R

QVRs for previous four quarters available at audit

PW.AH.12 Key

Pigs must have permanent access to environmental enrichment in order to satisfy their investigation and manipulation behavioural requirements

How you will be measured

PW.AH.12.a

All pigs, including sows and piglets in farrowing pens, dry sows and boars, have access to enrichment

PW.AH.12.b

Enrichment is permanently available

PW.AH.12.c

Enrichment classed as ‘optimal’ may be used alone, while ‘suboptimal’ enrichment is used in combination with additional different enrichment from any category

PW.AH.12.d

The following ‘marginal interest’ objects are only permissible when ‘optimal’ or ‘suboptimal’ enrichment objects/materials are also provided: - chains - ball/footballs - hard plastic - soft plastic piping - rubber

PW.AH.12.e

Pig interaction with environmental enrichment is not compromised by the amount provided, positioning, or size

PW.AH.12.f

Enrichment is not hazardous to pigs, and root vegetables and other feed materials provided as enrichment are sourced in accordance with Scheme feed standards. Mushroom compost, peat and recycled manure solids ('green bedding') are not permitted

PW.AH.12.g

Enrichment is not heavily soiled

PW.AH.13

Piglets must not be weaned from the sow at an age less than 28 days unless under certain circumstances

How you will be measured

PW.AH.13.a

Piglets may be weaned up to 7 days earlier only if moved into specialised housing which: - has been emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected - is separate from housing where sows are kept

PW.AH.13.b

Removal of piglets from a sow at an age earlier than 21 days is only permitted if the health and welfare of the piglets or dam would otherwise be adversely affected

More Standards

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Chicken

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Ducks

Fresh Produce

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