The Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations 2007

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 8 E+W Additional conditions that apply to the keeping of pigs

PART 1 E+W Interpretation

1.  In this Schedule— E+W

“boar” (“baedd”) means a male pig after puberty, intended for breeding;

“gilt” (“banwes”) means a female pig intended for breeding after puberty and before farrowing;

“piglet” (“porchell”) means a pig from birth to weaning;

“rearing pig” (“mochyn magu”) means a pig from the age of ten weeks to slaughter or service;

“sow” (“hwch”) means a female pig after the first farrowing;

“weaner” (“porchell diddwyn”) means a pig from weaning to the age of ten weeks.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 8 para. 1 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

PART 2 E+W General additional conditions

Inspection E+W

2.  All pigs must be inspected by the owner or other person responsible for the pigs at least once a day to check that they are in a state of well-being.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 8 para. 2 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Tethering E+W

3.  No person responsible for a pig may tether it or cause it to be tethered, except while it is undergoing any examination, test, treatment or operation carried out for any veterinary purpose.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 8 para. 3 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

4.—(1) Where tethers are used in accordance with paragraph 3, they must not cause injury to the pigs and must be inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.

(2) Each tether must be of sufficient length to allow the pigs to move as stipulated in paragraph 5(2)(a) and (e) and the design must be such as to avoid, as far as possible, any risk of strangulation, pain or injury.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 8 para. 4 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Accommodation E+W

5.—(1) A pig must be free to turn around without difficulty at all times.

(2) The accommodation used for pigs must be constructed in such a way as to allow each pig to—

(a) stand up, lie down and rest without difficulty;

(b) have a clean, comfortable and adequately drained place in which it can rest;

(c) see other pigs, except—

(i) where the pig is isolated for veterinary reasons; or

(ii) in the week before the expected farrowing time and during farrowing, when sows and gilts may be kept out of sight of other pigs;

(d) maintain a comfortable temperature; and

(e) have enough space to allow all the animals to lie down at the same time.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 8 para. 5 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

6.—(1) The dimensions of any stall or pen used for holding individual pigs must be such that the internal area is not less than the square of the length of the pig, and no internal side is less than 75% of the length of the pig, the length of the pig in each case being measured from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail while it is standing with its back straight.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a female pig for the period beginning with seven days before the predicted day of her farrowing and ending when the weaning of her piglets (including any piglets fostered by her) is complete.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a pig held in a stall or pen—

(a) while it is undergoing any examination, test, treatment or operation carried out for veterinary purposes;

(b) for the purposes of service, artificial insemination or collection of semen;

(c) while it is fed on any particular occasion;

(d) for the purposes of marking, washing or weighing it;

(e) while its accommodation is being cleaned; or

(f) while it is awaiting loading for transportation,

provided that the period during which it is so kept is not longer than necessary for that purpose.

(4) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a pig held in a stall or pen which the pig can enter or leave at will, provided that the stall or pen is entered from a stall or pen in which the pig is kept without contravention of this paragraph.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 8 para. 6 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Artificially lit buildings E+W

7.  Where pigs are kept in an artificially lit building, lighting with an intensity of at least 40 lux must be provided for a minimum period of 8 hours per day subject to paragraph 16 of Schedule 1.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 8 para. 7 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Prevention of fighting E+W

8.—(1) If pigs are kept together, measures must be taken to prevent fighting which goes beyond normal behaviour.

(2) Pigs which show persistent aggression towards others or are victims of such aggression must be separated from the group.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 8 para. 8 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Cleaning and disinfection E+W

9.—(1) Housing, pens, equipment and utensils used for pigs must be properly cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to prevent cross-infection and build-up of disease-carrying organisms.

(2) Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting flies or rodents.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 8 para. 9 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Bedding E+W

10.  Where bedding is provided, it must be clean, dry and not harmful to the pigs.

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 8 para. 10 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Floors E+W

11.  Where pigs are kept in a building, floors must—

(a) be smooth but not slippery;

(b) be designed, constructed and maintained so as not to cause injury or suffering to pigs standing or lying on them;

(c) be suitable for the size and weight of the pigs; and

(d) where no litter is provided, form a rigid, even and stable surface.

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 8 para. 11 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

12.—(1) Where concrete slatted floors are used for pigs kept in groups, the maximum width of the openings must be—

(a) 11 mm for piglets;

(b) 14 mm for weaners;

(c) 18 mm for rearing pigs; and

(d) 20 mm for gilts after service and sows.

(2) The minimum slat width must be—

(a) 50 mm for piglets and weaners; and

(b) 80 mm for rearing pigs, gilts after service and sows.

Commencement Information

I12 Sch. 8 para. 12 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Feeding E+W

13.—(1) All pigs must be fed at least once a day.

(2) Where pigs are housed in a group and do not have continuous access to feed, or are not fed by an automatic feeding system feeding the animals individually, each pig must have access to the food at the same time as the others in the feeding group.

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 8 para. 13 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Drinking water E+W

14.  All pigs over two weeks of age must have continuous access to a sufficient quantity of fresh drinking water.

Commencement Information

I14 Sch. 8 para. 14 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Environmental enrichment E+W

15.  To enable proper investigation and manipulation activities, all pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material such as straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost, peat or a mixture of such which does not adversely affect the health of the animals.

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 8 para. 15 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Prohibition on the use of the sweat-box system E+W

16.  Pigs must not be kept in an environment which involves maintaining high temperatures and high humidity (known as the “sweat-box system”).

Commencement Information

I16 Sch. 8 para. 16 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Noise levels E+W

17.  Pigs must not be exposed to constant or sudden noise.

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 8 para. 17 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

18.  Noise levels above 85 dBA must be avoided in that part of any building where pigs are kept.

Commencement Information

I18 Sch. 8 para. 18 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

PART 3 E+W Boars

19.  Boar pens must be sited and constructed so as to allow the boar to turn around and to hear, see and smell other pigs, and must contain clean resting areas. E+W

Commencement Information

I19 Sch. 8 para. 19 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

20.  The lying area must be dry and comfortable. E+W

Commencement Information

I20 Sch. 8 para. 20 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

21.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the minimum unobstructed floor area for a boar must be 6 m². E+W

(2) When boar pens are also used for natural service, the floor area must be at least 10 m² and must be free of any obstacles.

Commencement Information

I21 Sch. 8 para. 21 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

PART 4 E+W Sows and Gilts

22.  Pregnant sows and gilts must, where necessary, be treated against external and internal parasites. E+W

Commencement Information

I22 Sch. 8 para. 22 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Farrowing E+W

23.  Pregnant sows and gilts must be thoroughly cleaned before being placed in farrowing crates.

Commencement Information

I23 Sch. 8 para. 23 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

24.  In the week before the expected farrowing time, sows and gilts must be given suitable nesting material in sufficient quantity unless it is not technically feasible for the slurry system used.

Commencement Information

I24 Sch. 8 para. 24 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

25.  During farrowing, an unobstructed area behind the sow or gilt must be available for the ease of natural or assisted farrowing.

Commencement Information

I25 Sch. 8 para. 25 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

26.  Farrowing pens where sows or gilts are kept loose must have some means of protecting the piglets, such as farrowing rails.

Commencement Information

I26 Sch. 8 para. 26 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

Group housing E+W

27.  Sows and gilts must be kept in groups except during the period between seven days before the predicted day of farrowing and the day on which the weaning of piglets (including any piglets fostered) is complete.

Commencement Information

I27 Sch. 8 para. 27 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

28.  The pen where the group is kept must have sides greater than 2.8 m in length, except when there are six or fewer individuals in the group, when the sides of the pen must be no less than 2.4 m in length.

Commencement Information

I28 Sch. 8 para. 28 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

29.  The unobstructed floor area available to each gilt after service and to each sow when gilts and/or sows are kept in groups must be at least 1.64 m² and 2.25 m² respectively. When these animals are kept in groups of six or fewer individuals, the unobstructed floor area must be increased by 10%. When these animals are kept in groups of 40 or more individuals, the unobstructed floor area may be decreased by 10%.

Commencement Information

I29 Sch. 8 para. 29 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

30.  For gilts after service and pregnant sows, a part of the area required in paragraph 29 equal to at least 0.95 m² per gilt and at least 1.3 m² per sow must be of continuous solid floor of which a maximum of 15% is reserved for drainage openings.

Commencement Information

I30 Sch. 8 para. 30 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

31.  Sows and gilts kept on holdings of 10 or fewer sows may be kept individually provided that their accommodation complies with the requirements of paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Schedule.

Commencement Information

I31 Sch. 8 para. 31 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

32.  In addition to the requirements of paragraph 13 of this Schedule, sows and gilts must be fed using a system which ensures that each individual can obtain sufficient food even when competitors for the food are present.

Commencement Information

I32 Sch. 8 para. 32 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

33.  All dry pregnant sows and gilts must be given a sufficient quantity of bulky or high-fibre food as well as high-energy food to satisfy their hunger and need to chew.

Commencement Information

I33 Sch. 8 para. 33 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

PART 5 E+W Piglets

34.  Where a farrowing crate system is used, piglets must 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. E+W

Commencement Information

I34 Sch. 8 para. 34 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

35.  A part of the floor area where the piglets are kept, and which is large enough to allow the animals to rest together at the same time, must be solid or covered with a mat, or be littered with straw or other suitable material. E+W

Commencement Information

I35 Sch. 8 para. 35 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

36.  Where a farrowing crate system is used, the piglets must have sufficient space so they can be suckled without difficulty. E+W

Commencement Information

I36 Sch. 8 para. 36 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

37.  Subject to paragraph 38, piglets must not be weaned from the sow at an age less than 28 days, unless the health or welfare of the sow or piglets would otherwise be adversely affected. E+W

Commencement Information

I37 Sch. 8 para. 37 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

38.  Piglets may be weaned up to seven days earlier than the age referred to in paragraph 37 if they are moved into specialised housing which is— E+W

(a) emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the introduction of a new group; and

(b) separate from housing where other sows are kept.

Commencement Information

I38 Sch. 8 para. 38 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

PART 6 E+W Weaners and rearing pigs

39.  As soon as possible after weaning, weaners and rearing pigs must be kept in stable groups, with as little mixing as possible. E+W

Commencement Information

I39 Sch. 8 para. 39 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

40.  If weaners and rearing pigs unfamiliar with one another have to be mixed— E+W

(a) this must if possible be done before weaning or up to one week after weaning, or otherwise when the pigs are as young as possible; and

(b) they must be provided with adequate opportunities to escape and hide from other pigs.

Commencement Information

I40 Sch. 8 para. 40 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

41.  The use of tranquilising medication in order to facilitate mixing must be limited to exceptional conditions and only after consultation with a veterinary surgeon. E+W

Commencement Information

I41 Sch. 8 para. 41 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

42.  If there are signs of severe fighting, the causes must be immediately investigated and appropriate measures taken. E+W

Commencement Information

I42 Sch. 8 para. 42 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1

43.  The unobstructed floor area available to each weaner or rearing pig reared in a group must be at least— E+W

(a) 0.15 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is 10 kg or less;

(b) 0.20 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 10 kg, but less than or equal to 20 kg;

(c) 0.30 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 20 kg but less than or equal to 30 kg;

(d) 0.40 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 30 kg but less than or equal to 50 kg;

(e) 0.55 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 50 kg but less than or equal to 85 kg;

(f) 0.65 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 85 kg but less than or equal to 110 kg; and

(g) 1.00 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 110 kg.

Commencement Information

I43 Sch. 8 para. 43 in force at 24.10.2007, see reg. 1