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Table 1 Description of requirements to three different pig production systems commonly used in Denmark

From: A comparison between lesions found during meat inspection of finishing pigs raised under organic/free-range conditions and conventional, indoor conditions

 

Friland Organic

Friland Free-range

Conventional

Source of information

[3],

[3]

[5]

[35],

 

[36]

 

[37, 38]

Born outdoors in huts

Required

Required

Optional

Age at weaning (minimum)

7 weeks

5 weeks

(3a) 4 weeks

Tail docking

Prohibited, exemption can be granted

Prohibited, exemption can be granted

Allowed, if needed

Teeth reduction

Teeth cutting prohibited, grinding allowed within the first 3 days of pigs’ life if needed

Teeth cutting prohibited, grinding allowed within the first 3 days of pigs’ life if needed

Teeth cutting prohibited, grinding allowed within the first 3 days of pigs’ life if needed

Resting area with bedding (weaners/growers/ finishers)

Required – Minimum size of area defined for each weight group

Required – Minimum size of area defined for each weight group

Bedding optional - Straw or other material for rooting is required

Floors (weaners/growers/ finishers)

At least 50% of the required minimum area should have solid floor (outdoors this can be replaced by drainedb floor)

Solid floor in the resting area, at least 50% solid floor or deep straw in outdoor area (exemption can be granted)

At least 33-50% solid or drained floor (depending on age)c

Access to outdoor facility

Required

Required

Optional

Pen area required per finishing pig (at 100 kg)

2.3 m2 (1.3 m2 indoors, and 1.0 m2 outdoors)

1.2 m2 (min. 0.50 m2 outdoors)

0.65 m2

Access to roughage for weaners/growers/finishers

Required

Optional

Optional

Veterinary advisory service contract

Required

Required

Optional for small herds and required for large herds

Initiate treatment with antimicrobials

Not allowedd

Allowed (all herds are covered by veterinary advisory service contracts)

Allowed if the herd is covered by a veterinary advisory service contract

Withdrawal time related to use of antimicrobials

Twice as long as described in the regulation

Twice as long as described in the regulation

As described in the regulation

  1. aPiglets can be weaned at an age of 3 weeks, if they are transferred to nursery rooms with controlled climate.
  2. bDrained floor defined as maximum 10% openings.
  3. cBan on fully-slatted floors applies from July 2000 for new buildings and for all housing by July 2015.
  4. dA pig that has been through two courses of treatment with antimicrobials is no longer considered organic.