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RMS FOR PIGS

Below are the Responsible Minimum Standards for pigs.

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Mitigation standards

1.1	Sow gestation stalls or crates must not be used.
1.2	Dry sows and gilts must be housed in groups and may only be kept in stalls or crates for a maximum of four days after insemination and must be given at least 3 m2 of floor space per individual.
1.3	Farrowing crates must not be used.
1.4	If needed, the sow may be temporarily confined for a maximum of the first three days following farrowing to reduce the risk of piglet crushing.
1.5	Weaners, fattening and finishing pigs must be housed in groups.
1.6	Sufficient space must be provided for all pigs to stand, stretch, turn around, sit, engage in social behaviour and/or lie down comfortably at the same time with defined areas for resting, feeding, activity and elimination.
1.7	Space allowance must be sufficient to prevent tail biting. Minimum space allowances for growing pigs are set out in Table 1. At least two thirds, but preferably three quarters of the space allowed, must be bedded for better welfare. Note that more space may be needed to prevent tail biting.

Mitigation standards

2.1	Enrichment materials must be provided to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities for all stages of pig production.
2.2	Materials must be ingestible, chewable, destructible and odorous, regularly renewed to sustain interest, accessible to all pigs, clean and hygienic.
2.3	Depending on climatic conditions, bedding substrates, such as straw, are strongly encouraged for additional physical and thermal comfort.
2.4	Fully slatted floors must not be used; at least 50% of the floor must be solid.

Mitigation standards

4.1	Tail docking must not be carried out routinely.
4.2	Tail docking may be used only as a last resort when all risk factor mitigation measures have failed to prevent tail biting behavior.
4.3	Producers must have a management plan to prevent and address tail biting without resorting to tail docking.
4.4	Surgical castration must not be carried out.
4.5	Instead, immunocastration must be used or intact males must be raised.
4.6	Teeth clipping and teeth grinding must not be performed routinely.
4.7	Teeth clipping or grinding may be used only as a last resort when all other measures to avoid lesions in the sow and other piglets have been implemented without success.
4.8	Producers must have a management plan to prevent and address piglets injuring the sow or other piglets without resorting to teeth clipping or grinding.

Mitigation standards

7.1	Land transport time must be limited to 8 hours.
7.2	Pigs transported by sea must be accompanied by a veterinarian and must reach their destination within 24 hours.
7.3	Pigs must be fit for the journey.
7.4	Non-ambulatory pigs must never be transported, unless to a veterinarian for treatment.
7.5	Non-ambulatory pigs must not be dragged by their limbs, head or tail, and must only be moved if pulled on a purpose-built conveyance.
7.6	Electric goads or prods should not be used when catching, loading, unloading or moving pigs.
7.7	Pigs should be moved with a flat “pig board” rather than with a stick.

Mitigation standards

8.1	Facilities for handling and restraining pigs must take into account the size and age of the animals and be designed, constructed and maintained to minimize stress and risk of injury.
8.2	Pigs must be stunned before slaughter using a non-aversive method that causes instantaneous unconsciousness lasting until death, or if unconsciousness is induced gradually, the process must be non-aversive.
8.3	High concentration CO2 gas must not be used for stunning.

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