Practical experiences with the ban on tail docking
The rearing of un-docked pigs is still regarded as the ultimate challenge. Many farmers are reluctant to stop tail-docking due to the potential consequences of tail-biting outbreaks. For years, researchers and practitioners have been trying to find solutions for successfully rearing animals with intact curly tails. There is now a wealth of scientific evidence regarding the factors influencing the rearing of un-docked pigs and promising measures to ensure success. Nevertheless, it is primarily success stories from fellow professionals that motivate other farms to consider moving away from tail docking and to gain their own experience on their own farms. At the suggestion of the Working Group on Tail-Docking-Free Farming at the Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Pigs, animal welfare advocates have spoken with farm managers about the successes and setbacks they have encountered on their journey towards tail-docking-free farming.
Animal welfare ambassador Janna Fritz (Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Agriculture) in conversation with Thomas Asmussen. Mr Asmussen runs a farm in Gelting (Schleswig-Holstein) specialising in sow rearing and pig fattening. The arable and livestock farm has 150 breeding sows, and the fattening unit has 1,440 places.