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This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating sows, suckling piglets, weaners, rearing pigs and boars. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. Recommendations are also provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of pigs related to tail biting and related to the European Citizen's Initiative ‘End the Cage Age’. For example, the AHAW Panel recommends how to mitigate group stress when dry sows and gilts are grouped immediately after weaning or in early pregnancy. Results of a comparative qualitative assessment suggested that long-stemmed or long-cut straw, hay or haylage is the most suitable material for nest-building. A period of time will be needed for staff and animals to adapt to housing lactating sows and their piglets in farrowing pens (as opposed to crates) before achieving stable welfare outcomes. The panel recommends a minimum available space to the lactating sow to ensure piglet welfare (measured by live-born piglet mortality). Among the main risk factors for tail biting are space allowance, types of flooring, air quality, health status and diet composition, while weaning age was not associated directly with tail biting in later life. The relationship between the availability of space and growth rate, lying behaviour and tail biting in rearing pigs is quantified and presented. Finally, the panel suggests a set of ABMs to use at slaughter for monitoring on-farm welfare of cull sows and rearing pigs. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

This document provides methodological guidance developed by the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare to produce Scientific Opinions in response to mandates received from the European Commission in the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy. The mandates relate to the welfare of (i) animals during transport, (ii) calves, (iii) laying hens, (iv) broilers, (v) pigs, (vi) ducks, geese and quails, and (vii) dairy cows. This guidance was developed in order to define the methods and strategy to be applied for responding to the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the mandates. The mandates each consist of a set of General ToRs which refer to the husbandry systems used in the production of each animal species or the current transport practices for free moving animals and animals transported in cages, and a set of specific ToRs for which difficulties in ensuring animal welfare have been identified and where specific scenarios are envisaged. Part I of the guidance includes a description of welfare consequences for the animals. Part II includes a new methodology for providing quantitative recommendations regarding animal welfare. The proposed methodology follows the assumption that the effect of an exposure variable (e.g. space allowance) on animal welfare can be quantified by comparing the expression of an animal-based measure (ABM) under ‘unexposed conditions’ (e.g. unlimited space) and under high exposure (e.g. restrictive conditions). The level of welfare as assessed through this ABM can be quantified for different levels of the exposure variable (e.g. at increasing space allowances) and quantitative recommendations can thus be provided. The final version of the methodological guidance was endorsed for public consultation, which took place between 14 February 2022 and 31 March 2022. The comments received are integrated in this document. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: ‘bone lesions’, ‘cold stress’, ‘gastro-enteric disorders’, ‘group stress’, ‘handling stress’, ‘heat stress’, ‘isolation stress’, ‘inability to perform comfort behaviour’, ‘inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour’, ‘inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour’, ‘locomotory disorders’, ‘prolonged hunger’, ‘prolonged thirst’, ‘predation stress’, ‘restriction of movement’, ‘resting problems’, ‘sensory under- and overstimulation’, ‘soft tissue and integument damage’ and ‘umbilical disorders’. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, ‘total mortality’, ‘wounds’, ‘carcass condemnation’ and ‘footpad dermatitis’ are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Two separate, independent trials (n=40 pigs each, 5 pigs/pen) were carried out to investigate the effects of innovative enrichment devices on some welfare aspects of Italian heavy pigs. In Trial 1, 20 pigs received a hanging metal chain (C1) as environmental enrichment, and 20 received wood logs (WL) placed inside a metal rack installed on one side of the pen. In Trial 2, 20 pigs received a metal chain (C2) whereas the other 20 received a specifically formulated edible block (EB) placed inside the same metal rack described above. Pigs were left undocked and enrichments were always available through the entire growing-finishing period (up to 160kg, when pigs were slaughtered). Skin and tail lesions were periodically assessed on farm according to the Welfare Quality® protocol. The severity of gastric lesions was macroscopically scored on a 0-to-6 scale. Data were submitted to analysis of variance using environmental enrichment as the main effect. In both trials, skin lesions did not differ between groups, but tail lesions were slightly more severe in WL if compared to C1 group (score 1.24 vs. 1.11, P

Two separate and independent trials were carried out to investigate the effect of innovative enrichment devices on Italian heavy pigs' growth parameters, carcass traits, meat and ham quality. In Trial 1, 20 pigs received a hanging metal chain (C1) as environmental enrichment, and 20 received wood (poplar) logs (WL) placed inside a metal rack installed on one side of the pen. In trial 2, 20 pigs received a metal chain (C2), whereas 20 animals received a specifically formulated edible block (EB) placed inside the same metal rack described above. Enrichments were always available to pigs. Animal were kept on slatted floors and liquid-fed twice a day. Trials started when animals were approximately 80 days old (average Body Weight – BW=28 kg) and ended at slaughtering (average BW=158 kg, age: 285 days in Trial 1 and 280 days in Trial 2). Growth parameters, carcass traits and meat quality data were collected, (including hams weight during dry-curing) and submitted to analysis of variance. The pen (5 pigs) was taken as the experimental unit for growth parameters, the individual was used as the experimental unit for carcass and meat traits. In both trials, no significant differences were observed as concerns growth parameters (final BW, average daily gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio). Only minor differences were detected in carcass traits, with WL carcasses having higher lean meat percentage (51.06 vs 49.86%, p0.05). Our results show that providing heavy pigs with either poplar logs or an edible block did not affect their growth parameters, overall carcass traits, meat or ham quality; this observation supports the conclusion that such innovative and destructible/ingestible enrichment tools could be used in substitution of the metal chain. Further useful information will be available once the observation of the behavioural video-recordings will be completed, to get more insights on the type of interactions carried out by pigs on each enrichment device.

List of the genes used for RNA-Seq validation in this study. (DOCX 15 kb)

The attitudes of EU consumers towards animal welfare (AW) and AW Friendly Foods (AWFF) have been the object of Eurobarometer surveys in 2006 and in 2015 (Eurobarometer 2007, Eurobarometer 2016).In 2013, our research group carried out a survey on Italian consumers (Bologna district), in order to assess their knowledge and their Willingness To Pay (WTP) for AWFF (Di Pasquale et al., 2014). In 2006, farmers were considered the main responsibles for AW (40% of the answers). In 2013, the answer “farmers” reached 72%among Italian consumers. In 2016, when asked to choose between business and public authorities as the responsible for AW, EU consumers primarily chose public authorities (43%).As concerns WTP for AWFF, in 2016 EU consumers declared a reduced WTP if compared to 2006 data. However, in 2006 the Eurobarometer question specifically concerned eggs, which are the typical example of low-priced animal-derived food. Conversely, in the 2016 Eurobarometer, the question referred to all AWFF. In the recent Eurobaromter survey, the majority of consumers (52%) declared to look for AW labels when purchasing foods. A significant number of consumers stated that the choice of AWFF in shops and supermarkets is probably not (31%) or certainly not (16%) sufficient.Italian consumers' answers indicate a marked lack of knowledge with respect to AWFF (Di Pasquale et al., 2014). On the whole, these data suggest the necessity of a clear and informative European label on AWFF in order to increase consumer trust and help them recognize foods with ethical added value.

Italian heavy pigs are traditionally raised until they reach higher age at slaughter and body weights (at least 9 months and 160 kg, respectively) than in the majority of European countries. Meat derived from these pigs is intended for the production of high added-value pork products (e.g., Protected Designation of Origin dry-cured hams). We have identified tree main aspects that can affect the welfare of Italian heavy pigs: water rationing,illumination regimes and floor space allowance. The results from our research on water needs show that heavy pigs are motivated to obtain water from nipple drinkers even when they are liquid-fed (Nannoni et al., 2013).As concerns illumination requirements, either an increased duration of the photoperiod (up to 14 hours/day) or a higher light intensity (up to 80 lux) can favorably affect animal behavior (calmness degree) without any negative effect on meat quality (Martelli et al., 2015;Sardi et al., 2012).With respect to space allowance, its increase (up to 1.3 m2/head) was found to improve heavy pigs’ capability to rest (time spent lying in lateral recumbency) and their productive parameters (Nannoni et al., 2015). In conclusion, although no specific legislation requirement has been set for heavy pigs, our results may indicate the presence of peculiar needs besides the minimum mandatory levels (EC Directive 2008/120). Further research is presently being carried out on complemental aspects, such as environmental enrichment tools and tail docking.

The presence of lesions on the pig carcass is an indicator of poor animal welfare and has economic impact as it downgrades the carcass value. The assessment of the age of lesions on the carcass may help identify risk factors and ultimately prevent their occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the age of lesions on pig carcasses through spectrophotometric color evaluation and to relate the results with gene expression and histological and histochemical parameters. A total of 96 barrows were mixed 4 times over 3 d before slaughter and 80 lesions were selected after skin lesion observations to define 4 age categories: < 7 h (T1), 7–25 h (T2), 25–30 h (T3), and 49–54 h (T4). A nonlesioned skin area was used as a control. At slaughter, 3 biopsies per lesion and control skin were taken immediately after bleeding for analyses of gene expression (CCL2, COX2, IL6, IL8, IL10, ITGA3, MMP1, TNFα, TIMP1, SERPINE1), skin histological characteristics (inflammation, erosion or ulceration, and necrosis), and enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase). The number of lesions was counted on each carcass, and the color was assessed visually by a pictorial chart and instrumentally through a spectrophotometer. Delta values (Δ) were calculated as the difference between the value of the lesion and the value of the control for all measures, except for the histological analysis. Results indicated that visual color observation was not sufficiently accurate to discriminate lesions by time of infliction (P > 0.10), while the spectrophotometer ΔL* and Δa* values variation allowed the identification of < 7 h or > 25 h old lesions (P < 0.05). Similarly, the expression of CCL2, IL6, ITGA3, MMP1, and SERPINE1 genes was higher (P < 0.05) in < 7 h old lesions, while TIMP1 gene expression was higher (P < 0.05) in < 25 h old lesions. As for the histological analysis, the severity of inflammation was correlated with the age of the lesion (lower score in < 7 h old lesions and higher score in > 25 h old lesions; P < 0.05). To conclude, the spectrophotometric color assessment of the carcass lesions at slaughter appears to be a reliable method to discriminate between fresh and older lesions on the carcass at the abattoir.

The study of lesions as animal-based criteria on pigs is of increasing interest at both research and industry level. Lesions are important outcome measures, able to detect when animal welfare is suboptimal. The presence of lesions is also correlated to a lower quality, and thus to a loss of profits, in the derived products. This manuscript is composed by two studies investigating the use of lesions as suitable indicators of welfare level and meat quality at both farm and slaughter level. The first study, performed in Italy, studied the effect of different environmental enrichment devices provided to Italian heavy pigs (intended for the production of Parma Ham PDO) on the occurrence of skin, tail and anatomopathological (e.g. oesophageal gastric lesion) lesions, on carcass traits, meat quality and long-dried products. The tested devices were: hanging chains, wood-log inside a metal racket, edible block inside a metal racket. Results showed an increased tail score in the wooden enrichment, united to a higher F-o-M and a lower backfat thickness in the carcass, and to a lower water holding capacity of the meat. The edible block has not presented changes in skin and tail score, while an increased number of oesophageal lesion score was observed, which did not affect carcass and derived products. The second study was conducted in Canada. It aimed at assessing the age of the lesion on pig carcass at slaughter through the use of a spectrophotometer and biological indicators (i.e. gene expression, histochemistry, histology) on skin samples analyzed in the laboratory. Results demonstrated that spectrophotometric color assessment is a suitable method which allows to discriminate between fresh lesions (occurred pre-slaughter) and older lesions (on-farm). The results were also comparable with what was obtained from the expression of some tested genes and from inflammation scores assessed through histology., Lo studio delle lesioni nel suino è di crescente interesse nel panorama scientifico e industriale in quanto la presenza di lesioni è un importante indicatore per evidenziare uno scarso livello di benessere animale che si può tradurre in un deterioramento e in una perdita di valore dei prodotti derivati. L’elaborato si compone di studi che utilizzano le lesioni come indicatori di problematiche presenti all’interno della filiera suinicola. Il primo studio, svoltosi in Italia, considera come diversi tipi di arricchimenti ambientali impiegati nel suino pesante italiano (destinato alla produzione di Prosciutto di Parma DOP) influenzino l’insorgenza di lesioni cutanee, della coda e anatomopatologiche (con particolare riferimento alle lesioni della pars oesophagea), nonché gli effetti sulla qualità delle carcasse, della carne ottenuta e del prosciutto stagionato. Gli arricchimenti testati erano: catena, tondelli di legno inseriti in una rastrelliera, substrato edibile inserito in una rastrelliera. I risultati hanno dimostrato che l’arricchimento legnoso ha provocato un incremento di lesioni della coda e un tenore di carne magra superiore e di spessore del lardo dorsale inferiore nella carcassa, nonché una minore capacità di ritenzione idrica nella carne. Il substrato edibile non ha prodotto effetti indesiderati sulle lesioni cutanee e della coda mentre è stato riscontrato un incremento di lesioni dello stomaco, che non ha influenzato la qualità della carcassa e dei prodotti ottenuti. Il secondo studio, svoltosi in Canada, si è occupato di determinare l’età delle lesioni cutanee presenti sulla carcassa suina attraverso l’utilizzo di uno spettrofotometro in sede di macellazione e di indicatori biologici (espressione genica, istochimica, istologia) sui campioni prelevati e analizzati in laboratorio. I risultati hanno dimostrato che è possibile, attraverso l’utilizzo dello spettrofotometro, differenziare tra lesioni recenti (pre-macellazione) o lesioni più vecchie in allevamento. I risultati sono stati confermati da quanto ottenuto dall’espressione di alcuni geni testati e dalla risposta infiammatoria.

Assessing the age of lesions on the carcass may help determine the time of their infliction and identify the causes. This study aimed at identifying which genes are the best indicators of lesion age on the pig carcass. Five identical lesions were inflicted at the same time on the shoulders of 10 pigs (100± 20 kg) using a piglet’s lower jaw. Five biopsies on each pig were performed at 1, 4, 8, 24 and 48h after injury (1 biopsy per lesion). Intact skin was the control. Local anaesthetic and analgesics were used to reduce pain. To assess the effect of slaughter and carcass treatment on gene expression, 5 of the 10 pigs were slaughtered 24h after the infliction of two lesions in the hams. Biopsies were taken before and after slaughter (BS and AS, respectively), and after carcass singeing. The qPCR method was used to quantify the expression of 98 genes involved in wound healing, using the 2^(-CT) method. Since carcass handling induced a degradation of the RNA, only samples taken before carcass dehairing were used. Genes that were not differently expressed between BS and AS were first tested on 5 pigs in all lesion age categories. Fourteen selected genes were then tested on all pigs. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROCMIXED procedure of SAS. Eight genes (CCL2, COX2, IL2, IL6, IL8, MMP1, SERPINE1, TIMP1) presented different expression patterns by the age of the lesion (P

The presence of skin lesions downgrades carcass value and indicates poor animal welfare preslaughter. The aim of this study was to assess the age of lesions on the carcass at slaughter through spectrophotometric color assessment and gene expression of the following genes involved in tissue inflammation and repair: CCL2, IL6, ITGA3, MMP1, and SERPINE1. A total of 96 barrows (100 ± 10kg), allotted into 8 pens of 12 pigs each, were used. Over a three day period, each pig was mixed four times: in the finishing pen 2 d before slaughter, at loading, and in the lairage pen at the abattoir. Fighting- and mounting-type lesions were selected through visual assessment and video validation. Twenty lesions and control skins (with no lesions) per age group (total of 80 lesions and control skins) were selected, with each group consisting of 1, 4, 24, and 48 h old lesions. Data and skin samples were collected at the abattoir. For gene expression analysis, a skin biopsy of 4 mm was taken on each lesion and control skin at bleeding. After extraction, RNA was analyzed by qPCR to evaluate gene expression involved in tissue inflammation and repair. In the cooler, the color of each lesions and control skin was assessed through Minolta spectrophotometer. Delta values for each lesion were calculated between color and gene expression values obtained from the lesioned and control skin. Statistical analyses were performed using the mixing procedure of SAS, with log transformation applied to gene expression data. The time of infliction had an effect on Minolta L* and a* values (P < 0.01 for both), with 1 h old lesions being darker (higher-∆L* value) than 4 and 24–48 h old ones (P < 0.05) and redder (higher ∆a* value; P < 0.01) than 24–48 h old lesions. The different lesions age resulted in a different expression of CCL2 and IL6 cytokines (P < 0.001), and other genes involved in tissue repair and remodeling (MMP1, ITGA3, SERPINE1) whose genetic expression was greater (P < 0.01) in 1 h old lesions compared with 24–48 h old ones. Furthermore, when compared with 4 h old lesions, 1 h old lesions presented a greater expression of CCL2 and ITGA3 (P < 0.01), and MMP1 (P < 0.05). To conclude, the spectrophotometric color assessment and the analysis of inflammatory and tissue repair gene expression in the carcass lesions at slaughter may be reliable methods to discriminate between fresh and older lesions at the abattoir.

It is widely recognized that severe restrictions of space can compromise both the welfare of pigs and their production parameters. Nevertheless, no specific requirement is set by European Legislation for pigs whose Body Weight (BW) exceeds 110 kg (e.g. Italian heavy pigs). Sixty barrows (initial average BW: 23.9 kg) were kept in small groups (5 pigs/pen). Thirty pigs were given an individual floor space allowance of 1 m2 (equivalent to the maximum surface stated by European legislation), whereas 30 animals were allowed 1.3 m2/head. Rearing conditions, management and feeding were identical between the two groups. According to Parma Ham production rules, pigs were slaughtered at about 160 kg BW and meat and ham (raw and cured) quality was assessed. Our results indicate that pigs kept at higher floor space availability showed better productive parameters (higher BW at slaughter and ADG, lower FCR – P 110 kg BW has no detrimental effect on meat and cured ham quality.

La presente prova ha coinvolto 40 suini, maschi castrati, ibridi commerciali destinati alla produzione del Prosciutto di Parma. Gli animali sono stati suddivisi in due gruppi omogenei di 20 suini ciascuno e allevati fino al peso medio di macellazione di 160kg. Per tutto il ciclo produttivo, il gruppo di controllo (C) ha ricevuto il fotoperiodo minimo richiesto dalla normativa comunitaria (8 ore di luce al giorno), mentre il gruppo L ha ricevuto 16 ore di luce al giorno. I suini L hanno mostrato un maggiore peso vivo e peso della carcassa rispetto ai C (P=0.005 e 0.007, rispettivamente). Inoltre, le cosce ottenute dal gruppo L erano significativamente più pesanti e il loro calo di peso durante la stagionatura era ridotto (P

Given the negative effects that stress, among other factors, can exert on swine gastric mucosa integrity, the presence and the severity of gastric lesions were assessed post mortem on pigs that during their lives had received two different forms of environmental enrichment. To this aim 56 hybrid male pigs (initial average BW: 30 kg) were homogeneously allocated to 2 experimental groups: one half of the animals was provided with hanging chains (HC), whereas the other group had a rack, installed on the pen wall, containing horizontally placed wood logs (WL). WL are supposed to be more attractive and manipulable than hanging chains; these latters are frequently used as enrichment tools for pigs reared on a slatted floor. Animals were kept in collective pens, on a partially slatted floor and fed the same, rationed liquid diet. At slaughter (160 kg BW), all carcasses were assessed for pleurisy, pneumonia, pericarditis, white spots on the liver and gastric lesions. To this aim, stomachs were collected, opened and lesions in the pars oesophagea were observed, classified and scored (on a 0 to 6 scale) as: absent or mild (intact epithelium to mild hyperkeratosis: points 0-1); moderate (hyperkeratosis and mild erosions; points 2-4); or severe (moderate to severe erosion, and/or esophageal ulcers or stenosis; points 5-6). Mann Withney U-test and Chi-squared test were used. The prevalence of pulmonary, hepatic, hearth and gastric lesions did not differ between the experimental groups. Although the absence of significance for overall severity of gastric lesions (3.0 vs. 3.4 points in HC and WL group, respectively; P>0.05), highly significant differences were detected for the different classes of severity (P