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Pigs Standards

HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES Version 5.2

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PF.HF.1 PF.HF.2 PF.HF.2.1 PF.HF.2.3 PF.HF.2.4 PF.HF.3 PF.HF.3.2 PF.HF.3.3 PF.HF.4 PF.HF.5 PF.HF.6 PF.HF.6.2 PF.HF.6.4 PF.HF.7 PF.HF.10 PF.HF.11
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.

PF.HF.1 Key

Housing must be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for livestock

How you will be measured

PF.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains livestock

PF.HF.1.b

There are no sharp edges, projections or other features presenting a hazard to pigs

PF.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to livestock

PF.HF.2

Facilities must provide a comfortable thermal environment

How you will be measured

PF.HF.2.a

Ventilation minimises high humidity, build-up of odours and maintains a comfortable temperature

PF.HF.2.b

Covered shelter is available to pigs on outdoor sites to protect from weather with sufficient space for all pigs to lie at once

PF.HF.2.c

Facilities are provided on outdoor sites during warm weather to allow pigs to keep cool and minimise risk of sunburn, e.g. wallows, well-ventilated shaded areas

PF.HF.2.1

Contingency measures must be put in place during extreme weather* to minimise impact on pig welfare

*unusually hot or cold weather, wide fluctuations in external temperature, snow, severe wet weather, ventilation failure

How you will be measured

PF.HF.2.1.a

There is a documented Extreme Weather Contingency Plan in place, outlining measures to be taken in relevant situations

PF.HF.2.1.b

The plan is implemented when necessary to minimise heat and cold stress as far as reasonably possible
R

Extreme Weather Contingency Plan

PF.HF.2.3

Where there is insufficient self-ventilation and forced or automatic ventilation is used, there must be an alarm system in place to warn of failure

How you will be measured

PF.HF.2.3.a

Alarm system is tested weekly

PF.HF.2.3.b

A record is kept of alarm system checks
R

Alarm check record

PF.HF.2.4

Back-up provision must be available in case of ventilation failure

PF.HF.3

Floors must be constructed and maintained in a manner that minimises risk of injury to pigs

How you will be measured

PF.HF.3.a

Flooring is designed and maintained in such a way that pigs do not slip

PF.HF.3.b

There is evidence of ongoing maintenance of flooring and repairs where needed

PF.HF.3.2 Key

All pigs must have access at all times to a solid and bedded lying area (NEW)

How you will be measured

PF.HF.3.2.a

Bedding material is safe, comfortable, absorbent and provides thermal comfort

PF.HF.3.2.b

Bedding is provided in sufficient quantity for comfort and hygiene

PF.HF.3.3 Key

Outdoor access must be provided on a permanent basis (NEW)

How you will be measured

PF.HF.3.3.a

For adult breeding animals during their productive life* and piglets from birth to weaning

PF.HF.3.3.b

For all rearing pigs from weaning to slaughter

PF.HF.4 Key

Conditions must be managed to ensure livestock are able to keep clean

How you will be measured

PF.HF.4.a

Floors are well-drained or maintained with dry bedding

PF.HF.4.b

Pigs have access to a dry lying area

PF.HF.4.c

Where there is evidence pigs are persistently lying dirty, corrective and preventative measures are being implemented

PF.HF.4.d

Surfaces within housing are maintained in a good condition and can be cleaned and disinfected

PF.HF.5

Lighting in housing must allow normal behaviours, rest and effective inspection of livestock

How you will be measured

PF.HF.5.a

Adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) is available to enable inspection of stock at any time

PF.HF.5.b

During light periods, pigs have access to an area that is lit to an intensity of at least 40 lux at pig head height

PF.HF.5.c

There is a period of at least 8 hours of continuous light per 24 hour period, except where natural daylight period is shorter and where creep lights are used in farrowing pens

PF.HF.5.d

There is a period of at least 6 hours of continuous darkness per 24 hour period (except where natural daylight period is longer resulting in a shorter natural period of darkness)

PF.HF.5.e

Lighting, lighting fixtures and windows are kept clean and well-maintained

PF.HF.6 Key

Growing pigs must be provided with sufficient space

(REVISED)

How you will be measured

PF.HF.6.f

At least 40m2/pig paddock space except where accommodation is moved to new paddocks after each batch when this may be reduced to 12m2/pig*. Minimum lying area in shelters as per HF.6.c

PF.HF.6.g

Pigs have enough space to allow all the animals to lie down at the same time

PF.HF.6.2

Tiered cages are not permitted

PF.HF.6.4

Pigs must always be able to see other pigs, except where the pig is isolated for veterinary reasons, or whilst sows/gilts are in farrowing pens

PF.HF.7

Livestock must be kept in appropriate groups (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PF.HF.7.a

Grouped appropriately by size, age, production status

PF.HF.7.c

Weaners and rearing pigs are kept in stable groups with as little mixing as possible

PF.HF.7.d

Action is being taken to address any negative impacts of rearing entire males and females together, where present. Demonstrated through either: - splitting pigs by sex* before 50kg liveweight most of the time - sharing with Red Tractor evidence of welfare outcomes (e.g. lameness, skin lesions) and alternative management
R

Letter from Red Tractor indicating evidence has been reviewed and found satisfactory

PF.HF.10

Facilities must be available on-farm that enable the loading and unloading of livestock with minimal stress and risk of injury to livestock

How you will be measured

PF.HF.10.a

Adequate lighting to inspect stock at point of loading

PF.HF.10.b

Structurally sound and stable gates/barriers to prevent livestock escaping

PF.HF.10.c

Facilities are free from sharp edges or other projections which may cause injury to livestock

PF.HF.10.d

If loading ramps are used the angle is not steeper than 20 degrees and risk of slipping is minimised

PF.HF.11

Where pigs are not held in their normal accommodation prior to transport, the area must be managed appropriately (REVISED)

How you will be measured

PF.HF.11.a

Pigs have access to water

PF.HF.11.b

Maximum stocking densities for the enterprise are adhered to for weaners awaiting transport

PF.HF.11.c

All other categories of pigs are stocked appropriately for comfort and thermoregulation

More Standards

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