PIG WELFARE AT DIFFERENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Animal welfare is increasing interest worldwide. Pig farming is one of the most intensive of all livestock production systems. Pigs are very adaptable animals and could be reared at different production systems. In many countries in region pigs are still reared in three production systems: farm enterprises, full-time family farms, and part-time family farms. In intensive production systems pigs are housed mainly indoors, while pigs in less intensive systems often could be found in outdoor or semi-outdoor environment. Rearing pigs in outdoor environment allows studying natural behaviour of pigs, as one of the most important criteria for animal welfare assessment. Although it is generally considered that pigs kept outdoors have fewer problems with welfare, there are some critical points needed to be considered. Malnutrition of different categories of pigs and exposure to parasites and infectious diseases are the most common reasons for concern about outdoor pig production systems. According to the principles of five freedoms, differences between the different production systems will be discussed and divergences from the EU recommended resources will be highlighted.