Quality Growth Balance. A view of European pig production A benchmarking exercise for Denmark, England, Holland and Germany

Transcription

1 Quality Growth Balance A view of European pig production A benchmarking exercise for Denmark,, and

2 Introduction The purpose of this publication is to compare quality standards in Danish pig production with those in other selected countries. The basis for comparison includes parameters such as animal welfare, food safety, health, and the environment. The comparisons are based on available data collected from relevant sources in Denmark and the other countries. In areas where it has not been possible to obtain the information or where the validation of information has been questionable, either EU legislation is used as a benchmark or the comparison is omitted completely. It should be emphasised that the comparisons are based on information available at the time of writing. 2 3

3 Quality and control For some years, there has been a move towards independent certification of the different links in the food chain in pig industries in many European countries. This independent control has to ensure that both EU and national legislation are complied with and, in certain cases, customer requirements as well. Denmark and several other European countries have introduced quality standards for the production of pigs, and virtually all quality systems have independent third-party control. DANISH production is a closed system based on live animals of native origin. Quality system DANISH Product Standard (since 2007) QSG (since 1995) Contract for UK Production (since 1998) Red Tractor Farm Assurance Pigs Scheme (since 1999) IKB Varken (since 1995) QS (since 2001) Coverage 95% including 15% under UK Contract production. 15% of production Approx. 90% of production Approx. 90% of production Approx. 95% of production Identification and traceability CHR number (herd number) Ear tags Movement record Supplier number Only Danish pigs are slaughtered in Denmark. CPH number Slap-marking on shoulders or approved ear tags On-farm movement record required (eaml). Only British pigs slaughtered. UBN-number Ear tags primarily slaughters Dutch pigs QS-ID Ear tags Supplier number primarily slaughters QS-pigs (incl. German, Danish and Dutch). Audit Independent third party control every year or every third year depending on audit result. Risk-based audit by the authorities (unannounced in 5% of the herds). Independent third party audit every year. Of which 10% are unannounced. Risk-based audit by the authorities (unannounced in 5% of the herds). Independent third party control every year. Independent third party control every year. Independent third party audit, every year, every second or every third year depending on audit result. The producer can choose between: 1. Unannounced standard audit (48 hours warning) 2. Announced standard audit + an unannounced audit in between two standard audits. 4 5

4 Health and use of medicines The frequency of veterinary visits varies widely between countries. In Denmark, veterinarians may only prescribe medicine and, as a rule, are not permitted to sell it to producers. All veterinary medicine and antibiotics must be purchased through a pharmacy. In this way, health advice and the sale of antibiotics are kept separate, which means that there is no financial incentive for veterinarians to prescribe antibiotics. In practice, this has resulted in a lower use of veterinary medicines in Danish pig production. Common to all countries, however, is that the prescription must be based on a diagnosis carried out by a veterinarian and that the producer must record use of medicine in his herd. In Denmark, medicine usage is recorded by animal group, herd owner and the prescribing veterinarian. A Danish initiative, based on data recorded in the central database, VETSTAT (Veterinary Medicine Statistic), gives the Danish authorities the possibility of issuing a yellow card to herds that are either using or being prescribed higher amounts of medicine. Health advisory contracts are mandatory for herds of a certain size. Around 90% of pig producers have entered into a health advisory contract with a veterinarian. There are between 9 and 12 annual advisory visits to sow herds and between 4 and 6 annual advisory visits to finisher herds. The number of visits is increased as deemed necessary in matters relating to animal welfare, use of medicines and animal health. Herds with no health advisory contract must have at least one annual visit by a veterinarian. If the antibiotic consumption limit is exceeded in any herd, this will trigger a yellow card from the authorities, which will result in increased monitoring and action plans will be required. All herds must have a declaration of their health status and Salmonella Level. The herd s health status is recorded in a database, which is in the public domain at Denmark has Trichina-free status. Vets may dispense and supply medicine if it is used within 5 days. Vets may not make more than 5% profit on medicines. Medical prescriptions require a diagnosis by the herd vet and must be dispensed according to the vet s instructions. Pig producers must register the herd s medicine usage. Quarterly veterinary visits required. Health advisory contracts are mandatory. Each 2 annual veterinary visits are required. In case pig producer must have a contract with one of finisher production, 1 annual visit per finisher responsible veterinarian. batch is required. The veterinarian needs to visit each farm every month and document his findings in a report. All farms need a farm specific health plan and a farm specific treatment plan, which has to be updated on at least an annual basis. Health advice Trial measurement of welfare outcome measures in finishing herds ( Real Welfare ). Health status Herd health plan required. Quarterly veterinary reports submitted to Certification Body. Vets may sell medicine. Prescriptions require a veterinary diagnosis. No central health supervision No central health supervision Prescription of medicine or antibiotics Vets can sell medicine. Antibiotics may only be prescribed for seven days. Prescriptions require a veterinary diagnosis. Vets can sell medicine. Prescriptions require a veterinary diagnosis. Registration of medicine usage Pig producers must register the herd s medicine usage. Pig producers must register the herd s medicine usage. Pig producers must register the herd s medicine usage. Monitoring medicine usage Medicine consumption is registered in the VETSTATdatabase with information on the animal group, herd owner and veterinary level. The results are published each year in the DANMAP report mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) Central monitoring, but proposals under consideration for monitoring at individual herd/species level 51.2 mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) No central monitoring Central monitoring. Registration at herd level is being worked on within the framework of the industry mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) Total usage of antibiotics all meat types (2011) mg antibiotics/kg animal (biomass) 6 7

5 Feed The regulations concerning feed are largely the same across all EU countries. Since 2000, there has been an EU-wide ban on meat-and-bone meal (MBM) in feed for pigs. Since 2006, the use of antibiotic growth promoters has been banned in the EU. However, Denmark, among a few others, introduced earlier bans. Country-by-country, specific rules apply. Use of blood products and animal fat are not permitted in the UK and in Denmark in the Contract for UK Production. In Denmark fishmeal may not be used for finishers above 40kg in weight. Production Meat-and-bone meal Blood products Animal fat Antibiotic growth promoters Catering by-products, food waste etc Fish meal Government control of feed industry. Feed must be purchased from Danish authorised or QS approved feed companies. Official controls comprise one annual audit and 4-6 annual inspections. Home-mixers subject to government control. Permitted Permitted Fat accounts for 1-3% of the feed mix and both vegetable and animal fats are used. since 2000 Food waste is permitted as long as it does not contain protein from livestock. Fish meal may not be used for finishers above 40kg. Compound feeds may only be purchased from UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Schemes) approved feed companies. Raw materials must be from FEMAS approved supply chain. Home mixers must follow Industry Code of Practice for On-farm Feeding. since 2006 Catering waste not permitted, but certain food industry by-products allowed. Fish meal permitted Feed can only be purchased from GMP+ approved feed companies. Permitted Permitted since 2006 Food waste is permitted as long as it does not contain protein from livestock. No restrictions on use of fish meal. Feed can only be purchased from QS approved feed companies. Permitted Permitted since 2004 Food waste is permitted as long as it does not contain protein from livestock. No restrictions on use of fish meal. GMO Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted Use of GMO feed is permitted 8 9

6 Housing and welfare Under EU law, all pregnant sows must be loose from four weeks after service to one week before expected farrowing. In the UK, sows must be loose-housed from weaning to seven days before expected farrowing. The same rules apply in Denmark in the Contract for UK Production. The Danish pig industry s goal is that 10% of sows must be in free farrowing systems by From 2021, the objective is that all newly built units should be designed for loose-housed lactating sows. All countries have requirements for permanent access to manipulable materials, but there is a difference as to which materials comply with the requirement in each individual country. In Denmark, the materials used must be of natural origin (e.g. straw, wood, rope, etc). In Denmark there are also additional requirements for rooting materials. All countries have requirements for hospital pens. Denmark has stricter requirements for the design and the number available. Housed in accordance with EU legislation. The pen must not be narrower than 3m. There must be straw on the solid or drained flooring. No confinement from weaning until 7 days before predicted date of farrowing - otherwise requirements as per the Danish standard. No confinement from weaning to 7 days before predicted date of farrowing. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen in indoor systems. Around 40% of the UK breeding herd is kept outdoors. Housed in line with EU legislation. Appropriate nest building material in sufficient quantities is required, unless this is technically impossible because of the slurry system used at the farm. The piglets must have a thermally comfortable and dry lying area. Housed in accordance with EU legislation. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen. Housed in accordance with EU legislation. At least 2.8 m between the sides of the pen. Pregnant sows Farrowing pens Housed in line with EU legislation. Appropriate nest building material in sufficient quantities is required, unless this is technically impossible because of the slurry system used at the farm. The piglets must have an area that is separate from the sow. If necessary, there must be a source of heat. The Danish pig industry s aim is for 10% sows to be loose in the farrowing pen by After 2021 all newly built farrowing units must be designed as loose systems. After 28 days. The average in 2012 was 31 days. All pigs must have permanent access to sufficient quantities of straw or other manipulable rooting and enrichment material. Enrichment and rooting material must be of natural materials and in contact with the floor. Chains alone are not acceptable. Since 2000, it has been forbidden to build stalls with fully slatted floors. With regard to newly built stalls, at least half of the floor for piglets and at least one-third of the floor for finishers must be solid or drained. This will apply to all systems from All pigs over 20kg (including sows) must have access to a sprinkling system or another system that can keep the pigs cool. There must be an adequate number of hospital pens so that there is always at least one pen readily available for sick animals. The number of hospital pens must correspond to at least 2.5% of the total number of indoor pen places for loose pregnant sows. Housed in line with EU legislation. Appropriate nest building material in sufficient quantities is required unless this is technically impossible because of the slurry system used at the farm. The piglets must have an area that is separate from the sow. There must be a source of heat. Housed in line with EU legislation. Appropriate nest building material in sufficient quantities is required unless this is technically impossible because of the slurry system used at the farm. The piglets must have an area that is separate from the sow. There must be a source of heat. Weaning of piglets Not before 28 days or 21 days for batch production All pigs must have permanent access to sufficient quantities of enrichment and other rooting materials. Chains alone are not acceptable. After 28 days or 21 days for batch production After 28 days or 21 days for batch production Enrichment and rooting materials All pigs must have permanent access to manipulable materials. Chains with plastic hooks are permitted. All pigs must have permanent access to manipulable materials. The material must be harmless and adequate. Chains with plastic hooks are permitted. Fully slatted floors are permitted Flooring for piglets and finishers Fully slatted floors are permitted provided minimum slat and opening widths are observed. 40% solid floor for piglets and finishers required. Sprinkling systems No regulation No regulation No regulation Hospital pens Hospital pens required. Isolation of animals with infectious diseases required. Hospital pens must be well ventilated and warm and dry. Sick or injured animals must be isolated in a pen with dry and comfortable straw bedding

7 Housing and welfare continued Denmark has requirements for sprinkling facilities to be available to enable pigs to regulate their body temperature in hot weather. In Denmark, this requirement is for all pigs weighing over 20kg. In Denmark, there are requirements for pain relief to be administered before castration of male piglets. Although castration is not illegal in the UK, it is not permitted in the assurance schemes. In most other EU countries, tail-docking is allowed within the first few days of life. In Denmark, only half of the tail can be docked, and there must be evidence that other measures have been taken to minimise the risk of outbreaks of tail-biting. Since 2000, fully slatted floors have not been permitted in Denmark in new units and will be prohibited in all weaner and finisher units in Denmark from July Pain relief must be administered before castration takes place. Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried out 7 days after farrowing. Castration is not permitted by RTA standards. According to UK legislation, castration is permitted up to the seventh day after farrowing Pain relief must be administered before castration takes place. Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried out 7 days after farrowing. Pain relief must be administered before castration takes place. Anaesthetic must be used if castration is carried out 7 days after farrowing. Castration Tail docking on a routine basis, but permitted if it can be documented that measures have been taken to prevent tail biting. Only permitted between day 2 and 4 after birth and no more than half of the tail may be docked. Tooth clipping is not permitted. Tooth grinding is allowed, but not on a routine basis. Tooth grinding must take place within the first four days after birth. Only within the first 72 hours after birth and not on a routine basis. Docking of part of the tail no later than seven days after birth. Docking of part of the tail no later than four days after birth. Tooth reduction Piglet teeth clipping or grinding is allowed up to 72 hours after birth, but not on a routine basis. Tooth clipping is allowed within the first seven days after birth. Tooth clipping is allowed within the first seven days after birth

8 The environment EU legislation permits a maximum application of 170kg of nitrogen per hectare from livestock manure per annum. Denmark has stricter requirements and the maximum permitted level is 140kg nitrogen/ha. There are no specific requirements under EU legislation for the storage of slurry. To prevent evaporation of gases into the environment from a slurry tank, Denmark requires that the slurry tank must be covered or have a floating cover. The minimum requirement for utilization of nitrogen in pig slurry in Denmark is 75%. In EU countries like and the Netherlands, the requirement is 60-65%. Danish farmers have to establish an annual plan for the cultivation of crops and the handling of manure. They must also draw up a special environmental report with all relevant information for the authorities to ensure that environmental requirements are being adhered to. Feed consumption is an important contributor to emissions of greenhouse gases. According to the life cycle analysis of pork (LCA), grain cultivation is the main contributor. Efficient feed conversion is crucial in terms of reducing environmental impact. The better the pig s feed utilisation, the lower the impact, because the pig needs less feed to grow each kg in weight. Maximum 140kg N/hectare Maximum 170kg N/hectare, although up to 250kg N/hectare on grass 6 months storage capacity 170kg N/hectare 170kg N/hectare Application of nitrate (N) Storage of slurry Storage capacity must equate to at least 9 months production. Slurry tank must be covered or have a floating lid. 6-9 months storage capacity depending on region required. Slurry storage requirements are not known and there are no specific requirements in EU legislation. Requirements covering time of spreading not known and there is no specific EU legislation. Requirements for 60% utilisation of nitrogen in the slurry. Slurry spreading and utilisation of nutrients Slurry spreading may only take place in the growing season, i.e. from 1 February to harvest and from harvest to 1 October for winter crops. The minimum requirement for the utilisation of nitrogen in the slurry is 75 %. Apart for the period from August to November, slurry may be spread more or less throughout the year. UK has an action plan requiring the utilisation of nitrogen in pig slurry of 35% Requirements covering time of spreading not known and there is no specific EU legislation. Requirements for 60-65% utilisation of nitrogen in the slurry. Feed conversion: Kg feed/kg carcase incl. sow carcase weight. Comprises feed for sows, piglets and finishers (2012)

9 Transport At a general level, all countries follow the EU s regulations regarding transport of live animals (1/2005). For Denmark, the meat industry has taken initiatives to improve animal welfare and controls during transport. All pigs are transported in small groups and, where possible, in the same pen groups on the farm, as this means less stress and calmer animals. In addition, Danish hauliers are required to provide mechanical ventilation in all new lorries. This is considered essential for pig welfare during transport. All mortality during transport from farm to the slaughterhouse is recorded in Denmark: in 2012 it was at the very low level of 0.006%. The abattoirs have introduced new requirements for vehicles such as mechanical ventilation, GPS systems, drinking water and sprinkler systems. Compliance with the requirements is checked on arrival at the abattoir. Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Pigs to be transported in groups of approx. 15 animals and, wherever possible, in pen groups from the farm. RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Rules based on EU legislation. Certain requirements additional to EU legislation, e.g. GPS on all vehicles. Rules based on EU legislation. Vehicle requirements Group handling of finishers during transport RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Mixing is permitted Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Mixing is permitted. Stocking densities according to EU legislation. Mixing is permitted. There are maximum group sizes for the transportation of piglets (up to 120 for 10kg pigs and up to 50 for 30kg pigs). Training requirements in place since 2008 via EU legislation. Training of drivers From the early 1990s, everyone involved in the handling of animals during transport was required to attend a course. This course was replaced by formal training under regulation 1/2005, which came into force on 1 January % in 2012 RTA Livestock Transport Scheme. Training requirements according to EU legislation Training requirements in place since 2008 via EU legislation. Mortality during transport No statistics available No statistics available No statistics available 16 17

10 Slaughterhouse The environment at the slaughterhouse is important to ensure proper handling of the animals which in turn is crucial to delivering good meat quality. Research has shown that the handling of pigs in small groups, and, as far as possible, in stable groups (where the pigs are bred and transported together), provides for calmer pigs and therefore less stress. In small groups, pigs calm down more quickly and the level of aggressive behaviour is kept to a minimum, even in cases where pigs from different units are put together. Thus, it is good animal welfare practice for pigs to be kept at the slaughterhouse in small, stable groups right through to stunning. In Denmark, group handling of pigs prior to slaughter is common practice, and is becoming more widespread in other countries. Group handling, which means that, as far as possible, pigs are not mixed. All pigs are housed in small groups (approx. 15 animals). Training of abattoir workers in animal welfare and handling of animals is required. RTA Meat Processing Scheme. Mixing allowed, but some group handling RTA Meat Processing Scheme. EU legislation has required training for Animal Welfare Officers from No group handling. Pigs are mixed. No group handling. Pigs are mixed. Lairage Training EU legislation has required training for Animal Welfare Officers from Staff are to be trained in line with the provisions of the Infection Protection Act and this training must be documented. Such training courses are to be staged at least once a year in the QS scheme

11 Food safety Since 1993, Denmark has had salmonella controls that cover the entire chain from farm to table. The incidence of Salmonella in fresh meat is very low. In 2012, the incidence in Danish pork was just 1.2%. The incidence of Salmonella in Denmark is estimated to be low compared to most other European countries. According to EU regulations, all countries must have a national residue monitoring programme, and the results must be reported annually. There have been no positive analyses for hormones, heavy metals or pesticides in Danish pig meat, since the current Danish monitoring programme began in Whole chain Salmonella surveillance and control programme since 1993 including feed, breeding herds, sow and finisher herds. Public declaration of Salmonella levels in breeding, sow and finisher herds. Financial penalties for Level 2 and 3 herds. In addition, special transport and slaughtering of Level 3 pigs. Fresh meat surveillance, including sampling of pig carcases at abattoir (carcase swab test). According to EFSA (2008) prevalance is 3.3% (before chilling). In Denmark salmonella testing occurs after chilling, which gives a more accurate picture of the actual prevalence of Salmonella in fresh meat. In 2012 prevalence was 1.2%. UK Zoonoses National Control Programme (ZNCP) now only includes on-farm salmonella risk assessment, required by RTA Pigs Scheme Monitoring via IKB system. Comprises monitoring of finisher herds and fresh meat surveillance. Salmonella monitoring Surveillance via QS-system. Comprises monitoring of feed, finisher herds and fresh meat surveillance. Prevalence of Salmonella (fresh pork) According to EFSA (2008) study, Salmonella prevalence on carcases was 13.5% (before chilling). Testing still occurs at abattoir, but no recent national data is available. National monitoring programme in accordance with EU regulations. did not participate in the EFSA (2008) study. Current results not available. did not participate in the EFSA (2008) study. Current results not available. Residue monitoring National monitoring programme involving around 20,000 official samples per year. (According to EU regulations, 0.05% of the number of slaughtered animals per year must be tested, which corresponds to 9,500 in DK 2012). In addition are approximately 14,000 own control testings (2012 figure) for antibiotic residues figure - Number of positives above the MRL threshold: Growth hormones: 0 Heavy metals: 0 Antibiotics: 1 finisher and 4 sows Banned substances: 0 Pesticides containing chlorine, including dioxins: 0 National monitoring programme in accordance with EU regulations. National monitoring programme in accordance with EU regulations. Residue surveillance results EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2011) Growth hormones: 0 Heavy metals: 0 Antibiotics: 4 Banned substances: 0 EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2008) Growth hormones: 0 Heavy metals: 1 Antibiotics: 6 Banned substances: 3 EU Food Residue Monitoring Report (2008) Growth hormones: 7 Heavy metals: 39 Antibiotics: 327 Banned substances:

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13 Danish Agriculture & Food Council Axelborg, Axeltorv 3 T DK-1609 Copenhagen V F E agricultureandfood@lf.dk W