Better Pork - June 2016

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44 Better Pork June 2016
LEGISLATION
As of July 1, 2016, pork produc-
ers across Canada will need to
adapt their elective husbandry
procedures to remain in compliance
with updates coming to the National
Farm Animal Care Council’s (NFACC)
Code of Practice for the Care and Han-
dling of Pigs.
The updates are specific to Section
4.5 of the Pig Code, Elective Husbandry
Procedures.
The Code observes that elective
husbandry practices “such as castration,
tail-docking and tusk trimming can
be painful for pigs. Minimizing stress,
discomfort, and pain requires attention
to protocols and equipment that enable
stockpersons to perform such proce-
dures with skill and care for the pigs’
welfare.”
Castration
With respect to castration, the previous
requirements called for castrations per-
formed after 10 days of age to be done
with anesthetic (causing physical insen-
sibility) and analgesic (pain reliever) to
help control pain.
Under the July 1 updates, “castration
performed at any age must be done
with analgesics to help control post-
procedure pain,” the Code says.
Tail-Docking and Tail-Biting
When it comes to tail docking and tail
biting, the previous requirements say
tail-docking of pigs more than seven
days of age must be done with pain
control.
After the scheduled updates come
into effect on July 1, tail docking per-
formed at any age must be done with
analgesics to help control post-proce-
dure pain.
The recommended practices to control
Updates coming to Pig Code
New requirements coming under the National Farm Animal Care Council’s document that
outlines industry standards for the care and handling of pigs
by DIEGO FLAMMINI