LAST year the pork industry entered a new era of animal welfare activities. It began with the introduction of the “Pigcare” on-farm welfare audit. The “Pigcare” Audit was developed by Massey University with wider input from pig veterinary specialists, SPCA, and MAF among others.
The PIgCare audit is a 100-point checklist based on the NAWAC Pig Code of Welfare and the process is administered independently by AsureQuality which is also responsible for moderating the qualified auditors carrying out the on-farm audits.
The first round of audits was completed last year and the audit has been further upgraded to account for changes to the new Pig Welfare code released in December 2010.
Subsequently the audit has been reviewed by the Animal Welfare Centre at Melbourne University and adopted by the Australian industry. This approach with buy-in across the supply chain is world-leading and a major achievement for the NZPork industry.
The new Pig Welfare code released in December 2010 has signalled a significant change for the industry. A commitment to phase down the use of pregnancy stalls to just four weeks of pregnancy by the end of 2012 and a total phase out by the end of 2015.
This is a significant financial and management commitment for the industry which will see it reach either milestone at least two years ahead of Australia – key competitors Denmark, US and Canada having made no commitment to phase out pregnancy stalls.
In August with MAF’s support a series of workshops will be delivered concluding a year-long programme assessing how farmers are making the housing and management changes required.
The workshops will draw on farmers’ experience and therefore provide a valuable source of information and learning for those yet to embark on the changes. These will be worthwhile workshops for both managers and staff.
The other commitment the industry has made is to assess the options for giving sows more freedom at and after farrowing (piglet birth).
December this year will see the industry embark on an on-farm trial again with MAF’s assistance to test new farrowing equipment which does exactly that.
The trials will consider the welfare, production and economic implications of such a change. These trials will be administered as part of a PhD programme which will see further resources and skills developed within the industry to meet future needs.
In addition NZPork has committed to a eight year research investment programme with the Pork Co-operative Research Centre in Australia which has a strong welfare focus.
With the bar for ever raising from a pig care perspective stockmanship is becoming more critical. With this in mind NZPork has entered into a special arrangement with Australian Pork Ltd providing Pro-hand training courses.
Pro-hand is recognised as the world leader in helping staff to understand pig psychology and therefore provide the best handling and management of pigs.
This course dovetails nicely into the various AgITO training courses which have recently been reviewed to suit new on-farm challenges. The pork industry has a strong commitment to training and a recent cost benefit assessment by the AgITO shows $6-8 return for every dollar invested in training.
Despite all the training and information available to farmers things do go wrong on-farm. The industry has a support process which involves working with vets and supporting farmers to quickly remedy any welfare issues. We have an agreement with MAF that ensures that our role supports its role administering and enforcing the Animal Welfare Act.
Welfare is certainly a strong focus for the pork industry and the tangible steps to on-going improvement can be clearly seen. Should you want any more info on these initiatives please give me a call or email sam.mcivor@pork.co.nz
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