FVE & EAPHM position on preventing tail docking and tail biting

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the European Association of Porcine Health Management (EAPMH) recognize that pigs are sentient beings capable of pain and suffering, deserving of consideration and respect.

Tail biting is a significant health and welfare problem which can give rise to pain and suffering in the affected pigs, formation of secondary abscesses in the pig following infection, an increased risk of other health problems (e.g. joint infections, pneumonia) and substantial economic losses.

The vast majority of piglets are still tail docked despite the European Union ban of routine tail docking in 1994. The veterinary profession believes we should move away from mutilations such as tail docking and generally work towards the improvement of pig welfare in commercial farming conditions.

Tailbiting events can be triggered by a wide range of factors including lack of enrichment materials, excessively high stocking densities, health and disease problems, or competition for limited feed and drinking water.

Recommendations for consideration:

• The veterinarian plays a large role in identifying tail biting risks and should visit farms at least monthly to work with producers to form a prevention plan.
• Provide pigs with sufficient, permanent access to enrichment materials.
• Allow access to plenty of fresh water and quality feed without competition.
• Avoid the mixing of pigs if at all possible.
• Veterinary professionals should advocate for funding support for improved pig welfare by retailers and lobbying governments for public funding.
• A good monitoring of tail lesions on farm with a harmonized EU scoring system and thresholds for acceptable tail biting lesion levels.
• National action plans and an advisory board.
• The EU should stop the importation of tail-docked pigs or pigmeat from countries that allow tail docking.

Find the full report from FVE and EAPMH here.