November 20, 2007

Dutch to anaesthetise castration of pigs

Pig industry representatives in Netherlands drafted agreements to anaesthetise castration of pigs, as requested by the Central Office for the Food Industry (CBL).

Dutch society for animal protection proposed that by January 1, 2009, only meat from pigs that have been anaesthetised during castration will be sold.

Wyno Zwanenburg of the NVV (Dutch Association of Pig Producers), emphasised that farmers would be compensated on extra costs they incur. However, farmers are expected to anaesthetise the pigs themselves.

Zwanenburg stated that lidocaïne injections, which are administered by a vet, are not useful since the animals experience much pain afterwards.

Zwanenburg called for a faster development of CO2-anaesthetic which can easily be applied in farmyards. Pig producers and supermarkets will be required to assure consumers that their meat come from pigs castrated under anaesthetics.

The Animal Sciences Group at the University of Wageningen is currently carrying out a study on CO2-anaesthetics.