Original: English March 2016 REPORT OF THE OIE AD HOC GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 1 Paris, 22 24 March 2016 The OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare and Pig Prductin Systems (the ad hc Grup) met at the OIE Headquarters n 22 24 March 2016. The members f the ad hc Grup and ther participants at the meeting are listed at Annex I. The adpted agenda is at Annex II. Dr Derek Beltn, Head f the Trade Department f the OIE, welcmed all members and thanked them fr their agreement t wrk with the OIE n this tpic. Dr Beltn cmmented t the ad hc Grup that the develpment by the OIE f animal welfare standards relevant t livestck prductin systems is a key cmpnent f the OIE s animal welfare prgramme. Dr Beltn emphasised that this tpic is f great interest t OIE Member Cuntries and many rganisatins that are assciated with the OIE. Dr Beltn reminded members that in develping their recmmendatins the diverse cnditins relevant t all 180 OIE Members shuld be taken int accunt. Dr Beltn explained the prcedure f adptin f OIE standards. The reprt f the meeting will be submitted t the OIE Animal Welfare Wrking Grup (AWWG) fr cmments and will be presented t the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Cmmissin (Cde Cmmissin). The full reprt f the Cde Cmmissin (including the reprt f the ad hc Grup n Pig Prductin Systems) will then be submitted t OIE Members fr cmments. Dr Lepld Stuard stressed that OIE standards shuld be flexible, nt prescriptive, and they shuld be science-based and utcme fcused. It is imprtant t list relevant scientific references in the reprt as science is the unique cmmn denminatr fr OIE Members. Dr Beltn cnfirmed that the develpment f OIE standards is nrmally based n a tw-year cycle and indicated that the OIE wuld prbably recnvene the ad hc Grup at the beginning 2017 t review Member Cuntries and Cde Cmmissin cmments n the Grup s reprt. 1. Intrductin After the frmal presentatin f each f the member f the Grup and frm the OIE staff, Dr Stuard infrmed that Prfessr Wang Lixian sent his aplgies fr absence frm the meeting due t administrative prblems. Dr Stuard cnfirmed that he will cntinue t be a member f the Grup and that OIE will send him the reprt and the draft chapter fr cmments. Dr Birte Brberg, Chair f the ad hc Grup, thanked the OIE fr the pprtunity t wrk n this very imprtant tpic fr the pig industry, and nted the need fr relevant internatinal guidelines n this subject. 2. Cnfirmatin f the Terms f Reference (TR) and discussin f wrking dcuments and ther relevant dcuments prvided Dr Stuard indicated that the prpsed terms f reference were based n the mdel prepared by the AWWG and the ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare and Livestck Prductin Systems, which have been used t guide the develpment f all f adpted animal welfare in livestck prductin systems chapters. Dr Brberg indicated that the TR is brad and give the necessary flexibility t develp the prpsed new chapter. The Grup agreed t use the prpsed TR t develp the requested chapter. The terms f reference fr the ad hc Grup are presented in Annex III. 1 Nte: This ad hc Grup reprt reflects the views f its members and may nt necessarily reflect the views f the OIE. This reprt shuld be read in cnjunctin with the September 2016 reprt f the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Cmmissin because this reprt prvides its cnsideratins and cmments. It is available at: http://www.ie.int/en/internatinal-standard-setting/specialists-cmmissins-grups/cdecmmissin-reprts/meetings-reprts/ OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 1
Dr Brberg nted that the Grup has received a significant number f dcuments frm the members f the Grup and frm the OIE Headquarters, including ne frm the Internatinal Calitin fr Animal Welfare (ICFAW), sent t the OIE by Dr Peter Thrnber, member f the AWWG representing Wrld Animal Prtectin. The Grup agreed that there is useful infrmatin in mst f the dcuments, but different realities shuld be taken int accunt when develping the recmmendatins. The discussin paper n the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems (terrestrial animals), the Recmmendatins t the OIE in Develping Guidelines n Animal Welfare in Livestck Prductin Systems and ther relevant dcuments presented during the meeting are prvided in Annexes IV, V and VI respectively. 3. Develpment f the draft new standard Dr Bierte Brberg nted at the beginning f the discussin that the varius pig prductin systems used arund the wrld have different unique specificities. In this respect, the grup discussed hw t structure the new chapter and decided t make a cmmn chapter fr all prductin systems and indicate the differences fr specific systems as necessary. The ad hc Grup agreed that utcme-based criteria r measurables may give a better indicatin f animal welfare than input design criteria because they reflect the cmplex interactin f multiple design inputs. Dcuments submitted by the members f the ad hc Grup were discussed. When the Grup discussed the recmmendatins n cmmn prcedures cnducted in pig prductin systems, they agreed there are a range f practices that shuld be cnsidered beynd the current tpical issue f tail dcking. A draft new chapter fr the Terrestrial Animal Health Cde (Terrestrial Cde) was develped during the meeting and can be fund in Annex VII. The draft new chapter is structured alng the fllwing lines: a) definitin f pig prductin systems, management and envirnmental enrichment; b) scpe f the recmmendatins; c) descriptin f existing pig prductin systems; d) identificatin and brief descriptin f relevant utcme-based criteria r measurables ; e) recmmendatins fr measures applied t pigs; f) references. The Grup agreed that the trend away frm the use f gestatin crates and tward management f pregnant sws in grups shuld be taken int accunt in the n-ging develpment f animal welfare recmmendatins fr pig prductin systems. 4. Review and finalise the reprt f the meeting The ad hc Grup agreed t cmplete their meeting reprt and draft standard by April 2016 fr submissin t the June AWWG meeting. 5. Next meeting It was agreed that the next meeting will take place after receipt f cmments n the reprt f the September 2016 Cde Cmmissin meeting, mst prbably in March 2017. /Annexes 2 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex I OIE AD HOC GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Paris, 22 24 March 2016 List f participants MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP Dr Birte Brberg (Chair) Senir Veterinary Officer Animal Welfare and Veterinary Medicine Ministry f Envirnment and Fd The Danish Veterinary and Fd Administratin Statinsparken 31-33 l DK-2600 Glstrup Tlf. DENMARK Tel.: +45 72 27 69 00 bb@fvst.dk Prf. Paul Hamiltn Hemswrth Directr Animal Welfare Science Centre Faculty f Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences The University f Melburne Parkville, 3052 AUSTRALIA phh@unimelb.edu.au Dr Jennifer A. Brwn Research scientist Etlgy Prairie Swine Centre Bx 21057 2105 8th Street East Saskatn, Saskatchewan S7J 5N9 CANADA jennifer.brwn@usask.ca Prf. Wang Lixian (Invited but culd nt attend) Directr Pig Research Center Beijing Institute f Husbandry & Veterinary, Chinese Academy f Agricultural Sciences CHINA iaswlx@263.net Dr Antni Dalmau Buen Researcher IRTA. Animal Welfare Unit Mnells (Girna) Finca Camps i Armet, SN SPAIN, ES-17121 Tel.: +34 902 789 449 + 1434 antni.dalmau@irta.cat Dr Cleandr Pazinat Dias Cnsultant IICA and MAPA Av. Jsé Gabriel de Oliveira, 915 ap. 1102 Trre I Aurra - Lndrina 86047360, PR BRAZIL Tel.: +43 911 269 38 cleandrpazinat@ul.cm.br OIE HEADQUARTERS Dr Derek Beltn Head Internatinal Trade Department d.beltn@ie.int Dr Lepld Stuard Chargé de missin Internatinal Trade Department l.stuard@ie.int Dr Gwn Jung Intern Internatinal Trade Department g.jung@ie.int OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 3
Annex II OIE AD HOC GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Paris, 22 24 March 2016 Adpted agenda 1. Welcme and intrductin Dr Derek Beltn 2. Intrductin f members Backgrund and representatin 3. Cnfirmatin f Terms f Reference and cmments frm the Chair f the ad hc Grup 4. Discussin f wrking dcuments and ther relevant dcuments prvided by the members f the ad hc Grup 5. Develpment standards 6. Review and finalise reprt f meeting OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 5
Annex III OIE AD HOC GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Paris, 22 24 March 2016 Backgrund and Terms f Reference Backgrund Animal welfare was first identified as a pririty in the OIE Strategic Plan 2001 2005. OIE Member Cuntries mandated the rganisatin t take the lead internatinally n animal welfare and, as the internatinal reference rganisatin fr animal health, t elabrate recmmendatins and guidelines cvering animal welfare practices, reaffirming that animal health is a key cmpnent f animal welfare. The standards setting prcedure f the OIE The OIE develps standards thrugh the wrk f expert ad hc Grups that are cnvened t develp draft texts fr the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Cde (Terrestrial Cde). The draft texts are nrmally reviewed by the OIE Animal Welfare Wrking Grup (AWWG), which prvides recmmendatins t the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Cmmissin (the Cde Cmmissin). Fllwing review by the Cde Cmmissin, draft texts are sent t OIE Member Cuntries fr cmment. After tw runds f cmments, a draft text may be prpsed fr adptin in the Terrestrial Cde, in accrdance with the demcratic and transparent standard setting prcedures f the OIE, at the Wrld Assembly f Delegates which is held each year in May. Reprts f ad hc grups n animal welfare are nrmally released t the public as annexes t reprts f the Cde Cmmissin. The Cde Cmmissin meets in February and September every year and its reprts (in English, French and Spanish) are placed n the OIE Internet site after the meetings (nrmally in March and Octber). Animal Welfare and livestck prductin systems In May 2005, the OIE Wrld Assembly f Delegates endrsed the prpsals f the AWWG fr the animal welfare pririties fr 2005/2006. Amng thse pririties was the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr terrestrial animal prductin systems. In April 2008, the OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare and Livestck Prductin Systems prpsed that the OIE develps guidelines based n species, with specific prductin sectrs t be cnsidered separately. The OIE was requested t fcus n cmmercial scale prductin and particularly n prducts traded internatinally. It was als suggested that the guidelines fr a particular species shuld address all currently used prductin systems (e.g. extensive, intensive and mixed) and management prcedures, in rder t cver all practices used in the 180 Member Cuntries. In 2009, and based n the pririties raised by the ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare and Livestck Prductin Systems, the OIE started a prcess t draft standards n animal welfare n animal prductin systems. At this mment, three OIE standards n animal prductin systems have been adpted: briler chickens, beef cattle and dairy cattle. As a cnsequence n the discussin during the adptin f the abve mentined standards, ntably in relatin t the inclusin f specific animal welfare measurables, it was agreed t develp sme general principles fr animal welfare and livestck prductin systems. These general principles were adpted in May 2012, as a new Article 7.1.4. General principles fr the welfare f animals in livestck prductin systems f Chapter 7.1. f the Terrestrial Cde. OIE Animal Welfare Wrking Grup/May 2015 7
Annex III (cntd) Terms f Reference Taking int accunt: The backgrund histry f the OIE regarding animal welfare and prductin systems; The discussin paper n the Develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems, written by the AWWG in 2006; The recmmendatins f the OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare and Livestck Prductin in 2008, and The existing animal welfare and animal health standards in the Terrestrial Cde, in particularly the Chapter 7.1, Article 7.1.2 n the Guiding Principles fr animal welfare and Article 7.1.4 n the General Principles fr the welfare f animals in livestck prductin (http://www.ie.int/index.php?id=169&l=0&htmfile=titre_1.7.htm). The ad hc Grup is asked t elabrate draft animal welfare standards fr pig prductin systems, (intensive, extensive and semi-intensive) fr eventual inclusin in the Terrestrial Cde. These standards shuld cver inter alia: apprpriate definitins and scpe; husing; feeding and watering f the animals; envirnmental cnsideratins; management f endemic diseases; preventin f majr infectius diseases (bisecurity) and planning fr managing disease utbreaks (including emerging diseases); emergency management plans (e.g. disease utbreak, failure f electrical systems, fire, etc.); handling facilities (n farm nly transprt and slaughter are cvered elsewhere in the Terrestrial Cde); management practices (e.g. castratin, tail dcking, teeth trimming, and nse ringing); breeding; farrwing; persnnel training; prtectin frm predatrs. These standards must: be based n science (scientific references must be prvided); harmnised in their structure with the rest f the Terrestrial Cde, including the ther animal welfare and prductin systems chapters; use criteria that address the utcme at the animal level (animal-based). In develping these standards, the ad hc Grup shuld review relevant resurce materials, including extracts frm the Terrestrial Cde, reprts frm AWWG and ther ad hc grup meetings and examples f existing practices frm all five OIE Regins. A draft dcument is expected after the first meeting and will be submitted t the AWWG, the Cde Cmmissin and OIE Member Cuntries, fr cmments, t be addressed by the ad hc Grup in a secnd meeting. 8 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex IV Backgrund Discussin paper n the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems (terrestrial animals) (Develped by the OIE Animal Welfare Wrking Grup, 2006) The OIE Internatinal Cmmittee in May 2005 endrsed the prpsals f the Animal Welfare Wrking Grup fr pririties fr 2005/2006. Amng thse pririties was the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr terrestrial animal prductin systems. The develpment f glbal OIE animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems will be challenging fr a number f reasns. Wrldwide, animals are raised under extremely diverse cnditins ranging frm intensive systems with animals kept permanently indrs, t extensive systems with little r n husing. These different systems invlve very different animal welfare challenges. There are als large differences frm cuntry t cuntry in the level f pririty accrded t the welfare f fd animals. Nnetheless, because f the clse link between animal welfare and animal health, guidelines designed t imprve animal welfare will ften lead t better animal health, prductivity and fd safety. Especially in cases where these relatinships can be clearly demnstrated, animal welfare guidelines may be bradly acceptable t Member Cuntries. This discussin paper sets ut sme f the key issues that need t be cnsidered in develping animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems, and suggests next steps in this area. Animal-based and resurce-based criteria Animal welfare guidelines may include (1) animal-based criteria and (2) resurce-based criteria f animal welfare. Resurce-based criteria (als called design criteria r input criteria) indicate the resurces that shuld be prvided. These ften specify space allwances and dimensins, ambient temperature range, humidity, cnditin f the litter, air quality, availability f feed and water, frequency f inspectin, and bisecurity and sanitatin measures. Animal-based criteria (als called perfrmance criteria r utput criteria) are described/specified in terms f the animals state. They ften include such elements as survival rate, incidence f disease and injury, bdy cnditin scring, the ability f animals t behave in certain ways, and the reactin f animals t their handlers. Resurce-based criteria are widely used in animal welfare assurance prgrammes because they are ften easier t evaluate and scre than animal-based criteria. Hwever, they have imprtant limitatins: Resurce-based criteria are generally derived frm research carried ut with specific species/breeds and prductin systems, and they may nt be applicable t ther breeds and ther prductin systems. Fr example, a space allwance that minimises crwding-related prblems in light hybrid hens in battery cages may nt apply t ther breeds r t ther husing systems. The welfare f animals is strngly influenced by the skill and attitude f animal handlers, and it is difficult t develp and implement resurce-based criteria t describe these elements. Resurce-based criteria are ften created in respnse t well researched prblems such as ver-crwding and air quality, and they may nt apply t new r emerging prblems such as new diseases r genetic mdificatins f the animals. Perhaps because f these limitatins, research shws that animal prductin units that cnfrm t the same resurce-based criteria may still have widely varying animal welfare utcmes. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 9
Annex IV (cntd) Animal-based criteria are nt as widely used in existing animal welfare standards but they shuld, in principle, be applicable t any prductin system. In fact animal-based criteria may prvide a better measure f the animal welfare utcmes because they reflect the influence f variables (e.g. experience and attitude f handlers, presence f emerging diseases) that may be missed by resurce-based criteria. Hwever, many animal welfare cncerns are difficult t address using animal-based criteria. Examples include the capacity f the ventilatin system t prevent extreme temperatures, the use f pain mitigatin fr surgical prcedures, and the implementatin f apprpriate bisecurity measures. A reasnable apprach, therefre, wuld be fr the OIE t incrprate animal-based criteria in its guidelines where feasible and t supplement these with resurce-based criteria where there is a gd scientific basis fr ding s. Thus, fr example, animal welfare guidelines fr chickens might specify certain levels f survival and freedm frm disease and injury (animal-based criteria) and wuld als recmmend requirements fr ambient temperature, humidity, air quality and litter quality (resurce-based criteria) fr birds that are kept indrs. Clarifying the bjectives f animal welfare guidelines Animal welfare guidelines are generally designed t achieve ne r mre f three bjectives: 1) t prtect the basic health and nrmal functining f animals, fr example by preventing and alleviating disease, injury, malnutritin and similar harm; 2) t prtect the psychlgical well-being f animals, fr example by preventing and alleviating pain, fear, distress and discmfrt; 3) t prvide living cnditins that are cnsidered t be natural fr the species, fr example by prviding a scial and physical envirnment where animals can perfrm key elements f their natural behaviur. The three bjectives verlap. Fr example, preventing injury is imprtant fr psychlgical well-being, and preventing pain and fear can be imprtant fr nrmal functining. Hwever, the verlap is nt perfect. Fr example, envirnments that limit the spread f disease d nt necessarily allw natural behaviur and vice versa. The three bjectives are based n smewhat different bdies f scientific research. The research relevant t bjective 1 includes studies f survival rate, incidence f disease and injury, bdy cnditin scring, and prductivity measures. The research relevant t bjective 2 includes studies f pain, fear and distress in animals, studies f ways t alleviate such states, and studies that determine the animals wn preferences and aversins. Research relevant t bjective 3 includes studies f the nrmal (and abnrmal) behaviur f animals, hw these are influenced by the scial and physical envirnment, and the strength f the animals mtivatin t carry ut elements f their natural behaviur. In the past, cnfusin has smetimes ccurred because different standards, which are all claimed t address animal welfare, have invlved very different requirements. Often such differences arise because the different standards address different bjectives and rely n different bdies f research. In rder t avid cnfusin, it is imprtant that recmmendatins be clear as t the welfare bjectives they are intended t address. Standards based n bjective 1, because they reinfrce basic health and functining f animals, tend t be the mst aligned with the traditinal bjectives f animal prducers and veterinarians. The cst/benefit rati is ften favurable because implementatin ften leads t measurable imprvements in prductivity (e.g. imprved survival r reduced mrtality due t stress and disease). Hence, these standards are likely t be the mst acceptable t animal prducers and in cultures where cncern fr the welfare f animals is relatively lw. Hwever, in cultures where the public is actively interested in and cncerned abut animal welfare, standards based n bjective 1 are likely t be viewed as minimum standards that prmte prductivity rather than animal welfare per se. 10 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex IV (cntd) Standards based n bjective 2 (alleviating pain and distress, etc.) vary in their ease f implementatin and their ecnmic implicatins. Sme (such as handling animals in ways that d nt cause distress) shuld be relatively easy t implement, invlve little r n cst, and may prduce measurable ecnmic benefit. Others (such as requiring anaesthesia fr minr surgery) may be difficult and cstly t implement. The level f acceptance by prducers will likely vary accrdingly. In cuntries which accrd a high pririty t animals welfare, standards based n bjective 2 tend t be strngly supprted by the cncerned public wh generally see the alleviatin f pain and distress as a key element f animal welfare. Standards based n bjective 3 (prviding mre natural living cnditins) can have widely varying implicatins. Sme requirements, such as prviding mre natural scial gruping f animals, can be achieved in cnfinement prductin systems with nly small cst implicatins. Others may require substantial redesign f animal envirnments and incur higher land and labur csts. Such standards may, hwever, allw prducers using alternative prductin systems t market prducts t cnsumers wh supprt such standards. In prpsing OIE guidelines n animal prductin systems, ne apprach wuld be t fcus principally n bjective 1 because f the clear linkage with animal health and traditinal veterinary pririties f this bjective, and t prpse the adptin f guidelines based n bjectives 2 and 3 where this is feasible and apprpriate. If this apprach is used, hwever, it shuld be made clear that the guidelines are intended as basic guidelines designed mainly t prmte the health and functining f animals as health is the ne f the key cmpnents f welfare. In cultures that place a high pririty n animal welfare, the develpment and implementatin f guidelines that mre clsely address animal welfare bjectives 2 and 3 wuld be apprpriate t meet scietal expectatins. Clarifying the underlying science In the past, the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr prductin systems has smetimes been hampered by a lack f clarity ver the scientific literature. In sme cases rganiatins have attempted t create guidelines withut a clear review r understanding f the science. In ther cases, scientific reviews are available but these lead t cnflicting cnclusins. Guidelines that lack a clear and transparent link t science are ften criticised as reflecting the subjective views r self-interest f thse (animal prducers, regulatrs r animal welfare rganizatins) that prduce them. In general, then, a gd first step in develping animal welfare guidelines fr a given prductin system is t ensure that a cmpetent review f the relevant science is in place and widely accepted. If there is n such review, r if there are significant cnflicts amng existing reviews, then a new review may need t be created befre beginning t develp a guideline. Recmmended next steps Given the number f strategic decisins invlved in the develpment f guidelines fr terrestrial animal prductin systems, the Wrking Grup n Animal Welfare recmmends that the OIE prceed as fllws. Appint an ad hc grup t cnsider the issues presented in this paper and prepare a Guidance Dcument n the develpment f animal welfare guidelines fr terrestrial animal prductin systems. The ad hc grup shuld, at a minimum, cnsider and reprt n the fllwing: the varius bjectives f animal welfare guidelines, hw these relate t animal health, and the rle that the bjectives shuld play in OIE guidelines; the advantages and disadvantages f animal-based versus design-based criteria, with examples and recmmendatins n hw these different criteria shuld be addressed in develping OIE guidelines; the rle f science in animal welfare guidelines, with recmmendatins n hw the OIE shuld prceed t ensure that guidelines are clearly and transparently based n relevant science; OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 11
Annex IV (cntd) a prpsed strategy, including whether t apprach the develpment f guidelines based n species (e.g. Gallus gallus) r prductin systems (e.g. caged layers); recmmendatins n the cmpsitin f expert grups including the apprpriate scientific expertise, regulatry experience and reginal and cultural representatin; pririties fr develpment f guidelines (species, prductin systems). This Guidance Dcument shuld be submitted t the Animal Welfare Wrking Grup and, if endrsed, submitted t the OIE Cde Cmmissin and pssible distributin t OIE Delegates. With the Guidance Dcument in place and endrsed by the Internatinal Cmmittee, the OIE culd prceed by appinting ne r mre ad hc grups t wrk n particular animal species r prductin systems. Such grups shuld begin with the creatin f a cmprehensive review f the literature where this is needed. 12 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex V Recmmendatins t the OIE in Develping Guidelines n Animal Welfare in Livestck Prductin Systems Objectives f animal welfare guidelines In keeping with the OIE mandate, the key bjective f the OIE s animal welfare guidelines is t assure and supprt the essential linkage between animal health and animal welfare. In the cntext f this paper, animal health refers nt nly t freedm frm diseases listed by the OIE but als t freedm frm ther diseases (e.g. mastitis, lameness), injuries and ther cnditins (e.g. malnutritin) that significantly affect the bilgical functining. In this respect, cnsideratins relating t affective states and animal behaviur may be relevant insfar as the scientific evidence shws that they are related t animal health. Maintaining freedm frm OIE listed diseases is an imprtant element f animal welfare and the guidelines shuld prvide fr the implementatin f apprpriate bisecurity measures t exclude these diseases. The guidelines shuld als be crss referenced t apprpriate chapters in the Terrestrial Cde that deal with the surveillance, reprting, cntrl and eradicatin f listed diseases. Existing OIE standards Review f relevant existing OIE standards cntributing t the bjective described abve will be made. Animal-based versus design-based criteria Animal-based criteria (als called perfrmance r utput criteria) are described in terms f the animal s state. They include such elements as survival rate, incidence f disease and injury and bdy cnditin scring. Many prblems are multifactrial and it is therefre difficult t prvide specificatins (resurce-based criteria) fr all cntributing factrs. The mst practical slutin is t mnitr animal-based criteria t ascertain if animal welfare prblems are ccurring. Resurce-based criteria (als called design criteria, input criteria and engineering criteria) indicate the resurces that shuld be prvided. These specify such elements as space allwances and dimensins, ambient temperature range, humidity and cnditin f the litter. Resurce-based criteria are usually based n specific research with a particular species in a particular prductin system. Fr example, heat stress is well studied in cattle. Resurcebased criteria t prevent thermal stress wuld include specifying acceptable temperature and humidity range and rates f ventilatin. Hwever, the precise recmmendatins wuld have t be tailred fr the gentype, reprductive state and histry f the individual animal. Animal-based criteria such as respiratry rate and rectal temperature as measures f thermal stress, n the ther hand, wuld be applicable acrss animal and gentype. Cnsider the example f tail-biting in fattening pigs. Investigating the incidence and severity f tail biting is best accmplished by mnitring lesins, either by examining the pigs during the fattening perid r by mnitring at the abattir. Hwever, crrecting the prblem will likely require mdifying resurces, fr example the design f husing, stcking density, prvisin f material fr rting, air quality, nutritin, general hygiene and the prvisin f veterinary attentin. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 13
Annex V (cntd) List f advantages and disadvantages f animal-based and resurce-based criteria Animal-based criteria: advantages Prvide infrmatin n the actual state f the animal, regardless f the number f variables affecting that state Can be used in a range f prductin systems, species, gentypes, etc. Can be quantitative r semi-quantitative (bjective interpretatin is pssible) Can be used t get an appreciatin f the impact f animal handling Pst mrtem mnitring may be less cstly and is nt stressful t the animal. Animal-based criteria: disadvantages May be cstly t implement and stressful t the animal if based n direct interventin with individual live animals Can be difficult t interpret behaviur (e.g. respnse t chrnic pain r stress) Range f nrmal values and acceptable variatin frm nrmal may be difficult t establish Quantificatin may be technically difficult and require specialized training Identify the prblem but d nt indicate what crrective measures are apprpriate. Resurce-based criteria: advantages Can be easier and less cstly t implement and interpret as t whether the value is within the established tlerance Required crrective actin is evident Easier t calculate the cst f mdifying these criteria Can be quantitative r semi-quantitative (bjective interpretatin is pssible) Can be used in a preventative mde (e.g. bisecurity measures). Resurce-based criteria: disadvantages Difficult t develp and implement criteria relating t handling f animals Criteria may nt be generally applicable (they are develped n the basis f research in particular species, breeds and prductin systems) May nt be available in regard t new prblems (as are mainly based n research t address knwn prblems) Prvide nly partial infrmatin n the impact n animal welfare (as many variables cntribute) May nt be well validated with respect t the verall impact n animal welfare. The criteria fr use by the OIE must be devised in a manner that prvides fr them t be adapted and used in a wide range f envirnments and circumstances, in rder t be widely applicable t OIE Members. In keeping with the OIE s prpsed definitin f animal welfare, the OIE guidelines shuld fcus n animalbased criteria. Animal-based criteria shuld be supplemented with resurce-based criteria where these criteria are well validated scientifically as these prvide sme practical advantages. The incrpratin f resurce-based criteria is mre likely t be useful when dealing with livestck prductin systems and livestck that are very similar, regardless f the cuntry/regin f prductin. 14 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex V (cntd) The rle f science in animal welfare guidelines The guidelines shuld be based n scientific infrmatin and, t the extent that is pssible, n peer-reviewed literature. Hwever, there is a majr shrtage f scientific studies and publicatins n animal welfare frm sme regins, including Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, with the majrity f scientific infrmatin reflecting wrk in the Eurpean Unin, Nrth America and Australia/New Zealand. OIE shuld supprt the cnduct f studies t generate infrmatin relevant t ther regins. Infrmed judgement f veterinarians and ther relevant prfessinals is als a valid input t the develpment f OIE guidelines. This may be particularly relevant in addressing guidelines fr livestck prductin systems where there is a shrtage f published scientific studies. The OIE shuld make clear the surce and basis f its guidelines, whether this relates t prfessinal judgement r published studies. The OIE shuld undertake a review f published scientific infrmatin n: 1) based and resurce-based criteria relevant t each guideline prpsed fr develpment (e.g. beef cattle and briler chickens); and 2) relatinship f affective states (e.g. chrnic fear) and animal behaviur (e.g. nesting) t animal health. The results f these reviews shuld be prvided t OIE Delegates and animal welfare fcal pints t imprve the transparency f the OIE guidelines scientific basis. When establishing natinal animal welfare plicies, scietal value judgements may play a large part. While science can prvide useful infrmatin, ethical and scial cnsideratins may be mre influential. The OIE shuld avid making recmmendatins based n value judgements that lack a scientific basis. Recmmended strategy fr the OIE The develpment f guidelines based n species r sectr It is prpsed that the OIE develp guidelines based n species, with specific prductin sectrs t be cnsidered separately as set ut belw. The OIE shuld fcus n cmmercial scale prductin and particularly f prducts traded internatinally. The guidelines fr a particular species shuld address all currently used prductin systems (e.g. extensive, intensive and mixed) and management prcedures (e.g. beak trimming, dehrning). The establishment f guidelines n a species by species basis is apprpriate in view f the adptin f animal-based welfare criteria. Regardless f the prductin system, it is pssible t establish animal health and welfare principles that are generally relevant t individuals f the same species. Apprpriate criteria fr establishing the pririty species/sectrs include: Prducts that are extensively traded internatinally Prducts that are internatinally traded and the subject f actual r prpsed animal welfare standards, measures r restrictins (gvernment r private) Availability f relevant scientific infrmatin Likely psitive impact n animal welfare f intrducing standards Input frm OIE Members and Regins regarding issues and cncerns Relevance f ne guideline fr thers (e.g. the OIE guideline n chickens culd be used as a mdel t develp guidelines n ducks and turkeys). OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 15
Annex VI OIE AD HOC GROUP ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Paris, 22 24 March 2016 List f Dcuments 1) Welfare Quality assessment prtcl fr pigs (sws and piglets, grwing and finishing pigs) 2) Recmmendatins fr the n farm welfare f pigs. Submissin t the OIE by the Internatinal Calitin fr Animal Welfare (ICFAW). 3) Criteria r measurables fr the welfare f pigs. Wrking dcument prepared by Rebecca Hibbard. Intern at the OIE Internatinal Trade Department. 4) Cmmissin Staff Wrking Dcument n best practices with a view t the preventin f rutine taildcking and the prvisin f enrichment materials t pigs. 5) Cmmissin Recmmendatin (EU) 2016/336 f 8 March 2016 n the applicatin f Cuncil Directive 2008/120/EC laying dwn minimum standards fr the prtectin f pigs as regards measures t reduce the need fr tail-dcking. 6) Scientific Opinin cncerning a Multifactrial apprach n the use f animal and nn-animal-based measures t assess the welfare f pigs. EFSA Panel n Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW). 7) Scientific Opinin n the use f animal-based measures t assess welfare in pigs. EFSA Panel n Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW). 8) Animal Welfare (Pigs). Cde f Welfare 2010. A cde f welfare issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. New Zealand. 9) Canadian cde f practice fr the care and handling f pigs, 2014. Natinal Farm Animal Care Cuncil (NFACC). Canada. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 17
Annex VII DRAFT CHAPTER 7.X. ANIMAL WELFARE AND PIG PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Article 7.X.1. Definitins Pig prductin systems are defined as all cmmercial systems in which the purpse f the peratin includes sme r all f the breeding, rearing and management f pigs intended fr prductin f meat. Fr the purpse f this chapter, management is defined at the farm management level and at the animal handler level. At the level f farm management, human resurces management practices including selectin and training, and animal management practices, such as best practice in husing and husbandry and implementatin f welfare prtcl and audits, all impact n animal welfare. At the animal handler level this requires a range f well-develped husbandry skills and knwledge t care fr animals. Fr the purpse f this chapter, envirnmental enrichment means increasing the cmplexity (e.g. fraging pprtunities, scial husing) f the animal s envirnment t fster the expressin f nrmal behaviur and reduce the expressin f abnrmal behaviur and prvide cgnitive stimulatin. The endpint f enrichment shuld be t imprve the bilgical functining f the animal (Newberry, 1995). Article 7.X.2. Scpe This chapter addresses the welfare aspects f pig prductin systems. Hwever, captive wild pigs are nt cnsidered. Article 7.X.3. Cmmercial pig prductin systems Cmmercial pig prductin systems include: 1. Indrs These are systems in which pigs are kept indrs, and are fully dependent n humans t prvide fr basic animal needs such as fd and water. The type f husing depends n the envirnment, climatic cnditins and management system. The animals may be kept in grups r individually. 2. Outdrs These are systems in which pigs live utdrs with shelter r shade, have sme autnmy ver access t shelter r shade, and may be fully dependent n humans t prvide fr basic animal needs such as fd and water. They are typically cnfined in paddcks accrding t their prductin stage. 3. Cmbinatin systems These are systems in which pigs are managed in any cmbinatin f indr and utdr prductin systems, depending n weather r prductin stage. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 19
Annex VII (cntd) Article 7.X.4. Criteria (r measurables) fr the welfare f pigs The fllwing utcme-based criteria, specifically animal-based criteria, can be useful indicatrs f animal welfare. The use f these indicatrs and their apprpriate threshlds shuld be adapted t the different situatins in which pigs are managed. Cnsideratin shuld als be given t the design f the systems. These criteria can be cnsidered as a tl t mnitr the efficiency f design and management, given that bth f these can affect animal welfare. 1. Behaviur Certain behaviurs culd indicate an animal welfare prblem. These include changes f feed and water intake, altered lcmtry behaviur and psture, altered lying time, altered respiratry rate and panting, cughing, shivering and huddling, increased agnistic behaviurs and steretypic, apathetic r ther abnrmal behaviurs (e.g. tail biting). Steretypy is defined as a sequence f invariant mtr acts, which prvide n bvius gain r purpse fr the animal. Sme steretypies cmmnly bserved in pigs include sham chewing, tngue rlling, teeth grinding, bar biting and flr licking. 2. Mrbidity rates Infectius and metablic diseases, lameness, peri-partum and pst-prcedural cmplicatins, injury and ther frms f mrbidity, abve recgnised threshlds, may be direct r indirect indicatrs f the animal welfare status f the whle herd. Understanding the aetilgy f the disease r syndrme is imprtant fr detecting ptential animal welfare prblems. Mastitis and metritis, leg and hf, and reprductive diseases are als particularly imprtant animal health prblems fr pigs. Scring systems, such as fr bdy cnditin, lameness and injuries, prvide additinal infrmatin. Bth clinical examinatin and pathlgy shuld be utilised as indicatrs f disease, injuries and ther prblems that may cmprmise animal welfare. 3. Mrtality and culling rates Mrtality and culling rates affect the length f prductive life and, like mrbidity rates, may be direct r indirect indicatrs f the animal welfare status. Depending n the prductin system, estimates f mrtality and culling rates can be btained by analysing the causes f death and culling and their tempral and spatial patterns f ccurrence. Mrtality and culling rates, and their causes, when knwn, shuld be recrded regularly, e.g. daily, and used fr mnitring e.g. mnthly, annually. Necrpsy is useful in establishing the cause f death. 4. Changes in bdy weight and bdy cnditin In grwing animals, bdy weight changes utside the expected grwth rate, especially excessive sudden lss, are indicatrs f pr animal welfare and health. In mature animals, bdy cnditin utside an acceptable range may be an indicatr f cmprmised animal welfare, health and reprductive efficiency. 5. Reprductive efficiency Reprductive efficiency can be an indicatr f animal welfare and health status. Future perfrmance f sws r gilts can be affected by under- r ver-nutritin at different stages f rearing. Pr reprductive perfrmance, cmpared with the targets expected fr a particular breed r hybrid, can indicate animal welfare prblems. 20 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex VII (cntd) Examples may include: lw cnceptin rates, high abrtin rates, metritis and mastitis, lw litter size, lw numbers brn alive, high numbers f stillbrns r mummies. 6. Physical appearance Physical appearance may be an indicatr f animal welfare and health. Attributes f physical appearance that may indicate cmprmised welfare include: presence f ectparasites, abnrmal texture r hair lss, excessive siling with faeces in indr systems, swellings, injuries r lesins, discharges (e.g. frm nse r eyes), feet and leg abnrmalities, abnrmal psture (e.g. runded back, head lw), emaciatin r dehydratin. 7. Handling respnse Imprper handling can result in fear and distress in pigs. Fear f humans may be an indicatr f pr animal welfare and health. Indicatrs include: evidence f pr human-animal relatinship, such as disturbed behaviur when being mved r when animal handlers enter a pen, animals slipping r falling during handling, injuries sustained during handling, such as bruising, laceratins and fractured legs, animals vcalising abnrmally r excessively during restraint and handling. 8. Lameness Pigs are susceptible t a variety f infectius and nn-infectius musculskeletal disrders. These disrders may lead t lameness and t gait abnrmalities. Pigs that are lame r have gait abnrmalities may have difficulty reaching fd and water and may experience pain. Musculskeletal prblems have many causes, including genetic, nutritin, sanitatin, flr quality, and ther envirnmental and management factrs. There are several gait scring systems available. 9. Cmplicatins frm cmmn prcedures Sme prcedures such as surgical castratin, tail dcking, teeth clipping r grinding, tusk trimming, identificatin, nse ringing and hf care are cmmnly perfrmed in pigs t facilitate management, t meet market requirements and imprve human safety and animal welfare. Hwever, if these prcedures are nt perfrmed prperly, animal welfare and health can be cmprmised. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 21
Annex VII (cntd) Indicatrs f such prblems include: pst-prcedure infectin and swelling, pst-prcedure lameness, behaviur indicating pain, fear and distress, mrbidity, mrtality and culling rates, reduced feed and water intake, pst prcedure bdy cnditin and weight lss. Recmmendatins Article 7.X.5. Ensuring gd welfare f pigs is cntingent n several management factrs, including system design, envirnmental management, and animal management practices which include respnsible husbandry and prvisin f apprpriate care. Serius prblems can arise in any system if ne r mre f these elements are lacking. Articles 7.X.6. t 7.X.26. prvide recmmendatins fr measures applied t pigs. Each recmmendatin includes a list f relevant utcme-based measurables derived frm Article 7.X.4. This des nt exclude ther criteria being used where r when apprpriate. Husing Article 7.X.6. When new facilities are planned r existing facilities are mdified, prfessinal advice n design in regards t welfare and health f animals shuld be sught. Husing systems and their cmpnents shuld be designed, cnstructed and regularly inspected and maintained in a manner that reduces the risk f injury, disease r stress fr pigs. Facilities shuld t allw fr the safe, efficient and humane management and mvement f pigs. There shuld be a separate area where sick and injured animals can be treated and mnitred. When a separated space is prvided, this shuld accmmdate all the needs f the animal e.g. recumbent r lame animals r animals with severe wunds may require additinal bedding r an alternative flr surface. Pigs shuld nt be tethered as part f their nrmal husing systems. Gd utcmes in the welfare and health f animals can be achieved in a range f husing systems. The design and management f the system are critical fr achieving that. Pigs are scial animals and prefer living in grups, therefre husing systems where pregnant sws and gilts can be kept in grups are recmmended. Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): physical appearance (injuries), behaviur, changes in bdy weight and bdy cnditin, handling respnse, reprductive efficiency, lameness and mrbidity, mrtality and culling rates. Persnnel training Article 7.X.7. Pigs shuld be cared fr by a sufficient number f persnnel, wh cllectively pssess the ability, knwledge and cmpetence necessary t maintain the welfare and health f the animals. 22 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016
Annex VII (cntd) All peple respnsible fr pigs shuld be cmpetent thrugh frmal training r practical experience in accrdance with their respnsibilities. This includes understanding f and skill in animal handling, nutritin, reprductive management techniques, behaviur, bisecurity, signs f disease, and indicatrs f pr animal welfare such as stress, pain and discmfrt, and their alleviatin. Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): handling respnse, physical appearance, behaviur, changes in bdy weight, bdy cnditin, reprductive efficiency, lameness and mrbidity, mrtality and culling rates. Article 7.X.8. Handling and inspectin Pigs shuld be inspected at least nce a day when fully dependent n humans t prvide fr basic needs such as fd and water and t identify welfare and health prblems. Sme animals shuld be inspected mre frequently, fr example, farrwing sws, new brn piglets, newly weaned pigs and newly-mixed gilts and sws. Pigs identified as sick r injured shuld be given apprpriate treatment at the first available pprtunity by cmpetent animal handlers. If animal handlers are unable t prvide apprpriate treatment, the services f a veterinarian shuld be sught. Recmmendatins n the handling f pigs are als fund in Chapter 7.3. In particular handling aids that may cause pain and distress (e.g. electric gads) shuld be used nly in extreme circumstances and prvided that the animal can mve freely. The use f electric prds shuld be avided (see als pint 3 f Article 7.3.8.), and in any case shuld nt be used in sensitive areas including the udder, face, eyes, nse r an-genital regin. Expsure f pigs t sudden mvement r changes in visual cntrasts shuld be minimised where pssible t prevent stress and fear reactins. Pigs shuld nt be handled aggressively (e.g. kicked, walked n tp f, held r pulled by ne frnt leg, ears r tail). Pigs that becme distressed during handling shuld be attended t immediately. Pigs shuld be restrained nly fr as lng as necessary and nly apprpriate, well-maintained restraint devices shuld be used. Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): physical appearance, behaviur, changes in bdy weight and bdy cnditin, handling respnse, reprductive efficiency, lameness and mrbidity, mrtality and culling rates. Article 7.X.9. Painful prcedures Sme prcedures such as surgical castratin, tail dcking, teeth clipping r grinding, tusk trimming, identificatin, and nse ringing are cmmnly perfrmed in pigs. These prcedures shuld nly be perfrmed t facilitate management, t meet market requirements and imprve human safety and animal welfare. These prcedures have the ptential t cause pain and thus shuld be perfrmed in such a way as t minimise any pain and distress t the animal. Optins fr enhancing animal welfare in relatin t these prcedures include the internatinally recgnised three Rs which invlves replacement (entire r inmuncastrated males vs. castrated males), reductin (tail dcking and teeth clipping nly when necessary) and refinement (prviding analgesia r anaesthesia). Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): cmplicatins frm cmmn prcedures, mrbidity rates, mrtality and culling rates, abnrmal behaviur, physical appearance and changes in weight and bdy cnditin. OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016 23
Annex VII (cntd) Article 7.X.10. Feeding and watering f animals The amunt f feed and nutrients pigs require in any management system is affected by factrs such as climate, the nutritinal cmpsitin and quality f the diet, the age, gender, size and physilgical state f the pigs (e.g. pregnancy, lactatin), and their state f health, grwth rate, previus feeding levels and level f activity and exercise. All pigs shuld receive adequate quantities f feed and nutrients each day t enable each pig t: maintain gd health; meet its physilgical demands; and avid metablic and nutritinal disrders. Feed and water shuld be prvided in such a way as t prevent undue cmpetitin and injury. Pigs shuld be fed a diet with sufficient fibrus feedstuffs in rder t reduce as much as pssible the ccurrence f gastric ulcers (Hedde et al.,1985). All pigs shuld have access t an adequate supply f palatable water at a temperature that des nt inhibit drinking and that meets their physilgical requirements and is free frm cntaminants hazardus t pig health (Patience, 2013). Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): changes in bdy weight and bdy cnditin, agnistic behaviur at feeding and watering places and abnrmal behaviur such as tail biting, mrtality and culling rates, and mrbidity rates (gastric ulcers). Envirnmental enrichment Article 7.X.11. Animals shuld be prvided with an envirnment that prvides cmplexity and cgnitive stimulatin (e.g. fraging pprtunities, scial husing) t fster nrmal behaviur, reduce abnrmal behaviur and imprve bilgical functin. Pigs shuld be prvided with multiple frms f enrichment that aim t imprve the welfare f the animals thrugh the enhancement f their physical and scial envirnments, such as: sufficient quantity f suitable materials t enable pigs t fulfil their innate needs t lk fr feed (edible materials), bite (chewable materials), rt (investigable materials) and manipulate (manipulable materials) (Bracke et al., 2006); scial enrichment which invlves either keeping pigs in grups r individually with visual, lfactry and auditry cntact with ther pigs; psitive human cntact (such as pats, rubs and talking). Outcme-based criteria (r measurables): physical appearance (injuries), behaviur (steretypies, tail biting), changes in bdy weight and bdy cnditin, handling respnse, reprductive efficiency, lameness and mrbidity, mrtality and culling rates. Article 7.X.12. Preventin f abnrmal behaviur In pig prductin there are a number f abnrmal behaviurs that can be prevented r minimised with management prcedures. 24 OIE ad hc Grup n Animal Welfare n Pig Prductin Systems/March 2016