Breakthrough in friendly pig farming: Taiwan Sugar Corporation takes the lead in announcing the renovation of pig houses in compliance with friendly guidelines
The "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System" What is the "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System"? Currently, pig farming in our country uses traditional narrow stalls (gestation crates), and pregnant sows lack sufficient space to move around. The EU has already phased out narrow stalls, requiring friendly group housing with a certain amount of space to move around. Under the continued concern of animal protection groups"Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System" toward abolishing narrow stalls, with sow activity space at least twice as large as the current level, taking a big step forward for friendly animal husbandry. "In the future, Taisugar's pig barn renovation plan will fully follow the Council of Agriculture's guidelines in both operation and renovation." Wen Yuan-wen, deputy chief executive of Taisugar's Livestock Business Division, said that Taisugar currently has 18 pig farms and, according to internal scheduling, will begin the renovation plan in 108 (ROC year). "The first batch is expected to renovate more than 1/3 of the pig farms." The "friendly sow rearing area" stipulated in the friendly guidelines is at least twice as large as the current level, triggering pushback from the pig-farming industry, with people exclaiming, "So difficult! Not economically viable!" In response, Wen Yuan-wen admitted that "at least 6 square meters for jointly rearing lactating sows and piglets" is indeed not easy, and that "humaneness and pig-honoring ways probably cannot be fully reconciled." Wen pointed out that before discussing animal welfare, one must also consider that some sows lack sufficient maternal instinct and may bite piglets, or there may even be incidents of sows fighting in groups. But Wen Yuan-wen stated that since the "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System" is stipulated as such, Taisugar will do its utmost to renovate the farrowing stalls; as for whether it will affect production efficiency, Wen said the downstream rearing management methods may also have to be adjusted accordingly. "For example, in the past there may have been no need to specially manage lactating sows, and no need to worry that they would fight in groups or bite piglets. In the future, it may be necessary to assign extra workers to 'harmonize the mother-child feelings between them,' and it may also be necessary to pay more attention to ill-tempered pigs." Wen Yuan-wen said that because the first batch of Taisugar pig farm renovation plans may not be launched until 108 (ROC year), at the current stage priority will be given to adjusting rearing management procedures in line with the guidelines in the "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System" regarding tail docking, castration, teeth clipping and other standards, and carrying out related employee education and training. "Because adult pigs are still relatively easy to control, but piglets move around erratically, if employees are not well trained, they may accidentally cut themselves, and if workers get hurt instead, that would not be good." The adjustments will be made as soon as possible, and it is hoped there will be new progress before the end of the year. As for how much funding Taisugar will invest in the first batch of pig farm renovation plans? Wen only said that this is internal information, and he could only reveal that it would be a huge amount, and that it would basically all be borne by Taisugar. Taisugar will bear the renovation costs itself, but if pig farmers intend to comply with the "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System," the cost input and production efficiency of renovating pig barns are undoubtedly key concerns for the pig-farming industry. In response, Chen Chung-hsing, section chief of the Livestock Production Section of the Department of Animal Industry, said that low-interest loans have now been confirmed, and pig farmers can borrow at an annual interest rate of 1.5% to build facilities; as for whether to provide substantive subsidies for facilities? Chen said that because the industry still has some doubts about the guidelines regarding the renovation of sow barns, and because pig barn renovation may involve changes in farm registration, "it will still be necessary to negotiate with the pig farming association and farmers' groups before a decision can be made." The Council of Agriculture has just issued the "Definition and Guidelines for a Pig-Friendly Production System" by official letter, and Taisugar has also expressed that it is "willing to comply." Chen Chung-hsing said that if even Taisugar's large pig farms can be well managed, it will be more persuasive for small and medium-sized pig farms. Wen Yuan-wen also vowed, saying, "Taisugar can absolutely do it!" It is hoped that a balance can be achieved between economic returns and animal welfare.
Taisugar: 18 existing pig farms to be renovated starting in 108 (ROC year), first batch to renovate 1/3
Renovation funds to be borne by Taisugar itself
Department of Animal Industry: Will continue negotiations with other farmers' groups
The tragic life of a sow! The EU banned narrow stalls long ago; when will Taiwan, China catch up?