Pigs Standards

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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE Version 5.1 (modified)

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PG.AH.1 PG.AH.2 PG.AH.3 PG.AH.3.1 PG.AH.5 PG.AH.5.1 PG.AH.6 PG.AH.7 PG.AH.7.1 PG.AH.8 PG.AH.8.1 PG.AH.8.2 PG.AH.8.3 PG.AH.9 PG.AH.9.1 PG.AH.9.2 PG.AH.9.3 PG.AH.9.4 PG.AH.9.5 PG.AH.9.6 PG.AH.9.7 PG.AH.10 PG.AH.10.1 PG.AH.12 PG.AH.13 PG.AH.14

Glossary

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

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AIM: Proactive management of the health and welfare of all livestock through planning and reviewing

PG.AH.1 Key

A Veterinary Health Plan (VHP) to proactively manage and improve health and welfare of livestock must be established and implemented

How you will be measured

PG.AH.1.a

The plan is unit specific

PG.AH.1.b

Plan is easily accessible to all persons involved in the care and management of the pigs

PG.AH.1.c

Reviewed at least quarterly by the designated vet (or another vet from the same practice) to ensure it is up to date

PG.AH.1.d

Contains a Salmonella control plan

PG.AH.1.e

Details the husbandry procedures performed on the unit

PG.AH.1.f

Contains an action plan for dealing with vice (tail biting, ear biting, flank biting), which details: - treatment and management of injured pigs - short-term measures to be taken to limit further injurious behaviour

PG.AH.1.g

Contains a policy for treating and managing shoulder sores (indoor breeding units only)

PG.AH.1.i

The VHP is being followed

Veterinary Health Plan
(review date signed by vet)

PG.AH.2

Records of the health and performance of livestock must be maintained

How you will be measured

PG.AH.2.a

Records of breeding and/or rearing herd performance are kept

PG.AH.2.b

Incidents of tail biting and possible causes are recorded

PG.AH.2.c

Incidents of facial scarring/udder damage are recorded

PG.AH.2.d

Mortality records for breeding and post-weaning growing stock are kept, detailing: - date - pig type - identity/location (e.g. sow number; e.g. house A pen 5) - dead or euthanased - suspected reason

PG.AH.2.e

Mortality records for suckling pigs include summary of daily deaths only

PG.AH.2.f

Overall mortality figures are recorded including (where relevant): - pre-weaning mortality - sow and gilt mortality - rearing/finishing mortality

PG.AH.2.g

Records include slaughterhouse data regarding: - dead-on-arrivals - condemnations - tail damage (where reported)

PG.AH.2.h

Health and performance records are kept for at least 2 years

Performance records
Tail bite records
Facial scarring/udder damage records
Mortality records

PG.AH.3

Health and performance records must be regularly reviewed

How you will be measured

PG.AH.3.a

Records are reviewed by the producer at least quarterly

PG.AH.3.1

It is recommended to participate in a scheme that monitors and reports carcase conditions

AIM: The health and welfare of all livestock is being checked and managed

PG.AH.5

The health and welfare of livestock must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

PG.AH.5.a

All stock is inspected at least once a day

PG.AH.5.1

Actions must be taken to rectify all issues raised by vets in Quarterly Veterinary Reports (QVR)

How you will be measured

PG.AH.5.1.a

Evidence that action has been taken to address any issues identified or recommendations made

QVRs for previous 4 quarters

PG.AH.6 Key

Livestock must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress

How you will be measured

PG.AH.6.a

Pigs are handled and moved calmly without excessive force

PG.AH.6.b

No goads in use or present on farm

PG.AH.6.c

Movement boards are only used to encourage pigs in the right direction and for blocking gaps

PG.AH.6.d

Attempts to move pigs should only be made when there is a clear area for them to move into

AIM: The health and welfare of all livestock is being managed by competent people

PG.AH.7

There must be a designated person who has oversight of animal welfare on the unit

How you will be measured

PG.AH.7.a

Person is named in the VHP

PG.AH.7.b

Person oversees compliance with scheme requirements and best practice in relation to: - husbandry procedures - handling and moving of pigs - identification and management of sick and injured pigs - euthanasia

VHP

PG.AH.7.1

A copy of the relevant government Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs must be available to all persons involved in the care and management of the pigs

Hard or electronic copy of relevant Code of Practice

AIM: Effective and appropriate management of sick and injured livestock

PG.AH.8 Key

Sick or injured livestock must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged

How you will be measured

PG.AH.8.a

There is evidence of systems in place to ensure sick and injured livestock are identified and managed appropriately. Where required they are promptly treated and/or moved to segregation facilities or humanely euthanased

PG.AH.8.1

Appropriate facilities must be provided for the segregation or isolation of sick or injured livestock

How you will be measured

PG.AH.8.1.a

Facilities are managed and maintained in accordance with the Scheme standards for housing and facilities, feed and water

PG.AH.8.1.b

Unless passageways are adapted to become a non-thoroughfare and to meet Scheme standards, they may only ever be used as a short-term isolation facility for up to 1 hour

PG.AH.8.1.c

Lame pigs that have been segregated from the main pen and pigs with a traumatic injury have bedding or some other form of cushioning to prevent slipping and pressure sores

PG.AH.8.2

Pigs with shoulder sores must be identified and managed

How you will be measured

PG.AH.8.2.a

Managed in accordance with the shoulder sore policy in the VHP

PG.AH.8.3

Issues with vice (tail biting, ear biting, flank biting) must be identified and managed

How you will be measured

PG.AH.8.3.a

Managed in accordance with the vice action plan in the VHP

PG.AH.9

Persons conducting euthanasia of livestock must be trained and deemed competent

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.a

Training covers the following learning outcomes: - the recommendations of the latest version of the PVS Casualty Pig - the handling and restraint of pigs before they are euthanised - the acceptable methods of emergency euthanasia of pigs of different sizes - the parameters for the different methods (e.g. position of shot) - the signs of an effective stun/kill and what to do if the method is ineffective - maintenance of equipment - emergency procedures

PG.AH.9.b

Training in euthanasia includes theory and practical elements and can be delivered by: - experienced vet registered with the RT scheme - Humane Slaughter Association On-Farm Killing or Slaughter of Red Meat Animals – Theory course (supplemented with supervised practical training)

PG.AH.9.c

Whilst persons are being trained they are always under direct supervision when undertaking euthanasia, of either a vet or a suitable trained and competent person as signed off by a vet

PG.AH.9.d

Competence is assessed and signed off by an experienced vet registered with the RT scheme

PG.AH.9.e

Competence of all persons that carry out euthanasia is reassessed by the vet at least every 2 years and documented in training records

Record of training documented in training records
List of those deemed competent in VHP/Euthanasia Policy
Record of reassessment of competency in training records

PG.AH.9.1

A documented Euthanasia Policy must be in place

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.1.a

Policy includes: - methods used for all classes of pigs - names of persons signed off as competent in each method (may be listed separately in VHP) - details of checks for effectiveness of euthanasia - actions to be taken in the event of an ineffective kill - contingency procedures in the event of equipment failure or unavailability of a trained and competent person - equipment maintenance requirements, including frequency, and record of checks

PG.AH.9.1.b

Only legally permitted methods are used

PG.AH.9.1.c

Policy is signed by: - the designated person responsible for animal welfare to confirm understanding - the farm’s designated vet to confirm it is appropriate

PG.AH.9.1.d

Policy is followed

Euthanasia Policy
Euthanasia equipment maintenance records

PG.AH.9.2

All persons that euthanase pigs must be familiar with the content of the latest version of the Pig Veterinary Society Casualty Pig document

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.2.a

Document is signed by all to confirm understanding

PVS Casualty Pig

PG.AH.9.3

Where a mechanical device is used for piglet euthanasia it must be appropriate and used humanely

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.3.a

Only devices delivering a minimum of 27.7 joules (J) energy (as described in manufacturer’s specification) are used

PG.AH.9.3.b

Piglets are restrained appropriately, as described by the manufacturer, to ensure maximum energy transfer

PG.AH.9.4

Steps must be taken to carry out euthanasia of pigs in a location that avoids unnecessary suffering of the animal and distress to potential onlookers

PG.AH.9.5

Checks must be made to ensure method of euthanasia is effective

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.5.a

Checks are carried out immediately after euthanasia to ensure no signs of life

PG.AH.9.6

A person with training and competence in relevant methods of euthanasia must be present on the unit or able to attend within 60 minutes

PG.AH.9.7

A Welfare at the Time of Killing (WATOK) licence must be held where required

How you will be measured

PG.AH.9.7.a

Outside contractors who carry out euthanasia on the unit (excluding vets) hold a WATOK licence

WATOK licence or written confirmation that a licence is held

AIM: There is regular veterinary oversight of animal health and welfare on the unit

PG.AH.10

The unit must retain the services of a designated veterinary surgeon that has overall responsibility for the veterinary care of the pigs

How you will be measured

PG.AH.10.a

Only vets registered with Red Tractor Assurance and with current Pig Veterinary Society membership can assess farms against relevant aspects of these Standards

PG.AH.10.1 Key

The designated vet (or nominated vet from the same practice) undertakes quarterly visits to the unit

How you will be measured

PG.AH.10.1.a

A Quarterly Veterinary Report (QVR) is completed by the vet for each visit and submitted to the farm’s Certification Body

PG.AH.10.1.b

Quarterly vet visits are never more than 20 weeks apart

QVRs for previous four quarters available at audit

AIM: The welfare needs of livestock are met

PG.AH.12 Key

Pigs must have permanent access to environmental enrichment in order to satisfy their investigation and manipulation behavioural requirements

How you will be measured

PG.AH.12.a

All pigs, including sows and piglets in farrowing pens, dry sows and boars, have access to enrichment

PG.AH.12.b

Enrichment is permanently available

PG.AH.12.c

Enrichment classed as ‘optimal’ may be used alone, while ‘suboptimal’ enrichment is used in combination with additional different enrichment from any category

PG.AH.12.d

The following ‘marginal interest’ objects are only permissible when ‘optimal’ or ‘suboptimal’ enrichment objects/materials are also provided: - chains - ball/footballs - hard plastic - soft plastic piping - rubber

PG.AH.12.e

Pig interaction with environmental enrichment is not compromised by the amount provided, positioning, or size

PG.AH.12.f

Enrichment is not hazardous to pigs, and root vegetables and other feed materials provided as enrichment are sourced in accordance with Scheme feed standards. Mushroom compost, peat and recycled manure solids ('green bedding') are not permitted

PG.AH.12.g

Enrichment is not heavily soiled

PG.AH.13

Piglets may only be weaned from the sow at an age less than 28 days under certain circumstances

How you will be measured

PG.AH.13.a

Piglets may be weaned up to 7 days earlier if moved into specialised housing which: - has been emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected - is separate from housing where sows are kept

PG.AH.13.b

Removal of piglets from a sow at an age earlier than 21 days is only permitted if the health and welfare of the piglets or dam would otherwise be adversely affected

PG.AH.14

Supplementary rearing accommodation ('rescue decks') must be managed appropriately

How you will be measured

PG.AH.14.a

Declaration to this effect signed by the vet on the QVRs

QVRs for previous four quarters

Where to find help

DEFRA Code of Practice for the welfare of pigs: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pigs-on-farm-welfare
AHDB Pig Health Scheme: https://ahdb.org.uk/pig-health-scheme
AHDB guidance on moving and handling pigs: https://ahdb.org.uk/moving-and-handling-pigs
Pig Veterinary Society resources including PVS Casualty Pig:https://www.pigvetsoc.org.uk/media_categories/view/13/page:2
Humane Slaughter Association guidance and services
– https://www.hsa.org.uk/training-education/training-education (training)
– https://www.hsa.org.uk/downloads/on-farm-killing-of-new-born-livestock-november-2020.pdf (on-farm human killing of neonate pigs)
– https://www.hsa.org.uk/downloads/publications/emergencyslaughterdownload-updated-2020.pdf (emergency killing)
To check PVS membership status of vets visit: https://www.pigvetsoc.org.uk//membership-checker
AHDB Real Welfare scheme for monitoring welfare outcomes: https://ahdb.org.uk/real-welfare
AHDB guidance on environmental enrichment for pigs: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/environmental-enrichment-for-pigs
AHDB guidance on weaning and small pig management: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/weaning-and-small-pig-management

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Download Pigs Standards Manual

Download the changes to the Pigs Standards from 1 February 2025

Templates, Examples & Guides

Euthanasia Policy

NEW Euthanasia Policy – from 01 Oct 2022

Facial scarring and udder damage records

Mortality records

Tail biting action plan

Tail biting record sheet

Guidance

AH.1 – Vets may choose to create a new Veterinary Health Plan each quarter or retain the same VHP whilst indicating the dates on which they have reviewed it. New units should have a Veterinary Health Plan in place from the first arrival of pigs, rather than wait until the first quarterly vet visit. The required elements of the VHP may be contained in one document or in multiple documents. A vice action plan and shoulder sore action plan is required on relevant farms regardless of whether there is a history of vice or shoulder sores on the unit.
AH.2 – A tail biting ‘incident’ is defined as a minimum of one pig with a tail wound, or two pigs with bite marks in a pen
AH.6 – See Appendix for more guidance on appropriate handling and moving of pigs
AH.9 – Initial sign-off of a person’s competency by a vet must include practical demonstration of euthanasia. However, the method of subsequent reassessment of competency should be as determined by the designated vet and may or may not include practical demonstration of euthanasia, depending on the person’s knowledge and skills.
AH.10.1 – For new batch production rearing sites, a vet should carry out at least one visit to the site and complete a Quarterly Veterinary Report, even if the pigs will not spend one whole quarter on the unit.
AH.11 – For units of 300 finisher places or less, a minimum of 300 pigs should be sampled each year. For units of 900 finisher places or more, a total of 900 pigs should be sampled per year. For units of 300-900 finisher places, a representative proportion should be sampled per year.
AH.12 – Classifications of enrichment (optimal, suboptimal and of marginal interest) can be found in the latest Defra Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Pigs and RT Appendix