This Thursday the new regulations to improve animal welfare on farms have entered into force. Its objective is to put an end to some of the bad practices that are carried out, such as the tail docking of pigs, as well as to improve the conditions of those animals that live on these farms. The conditions in the macrofarms have been under debate for a long time, and what the new law intends is to improve some of these situations.
The Official State Gazette (BOE) published yesterday the royal decree promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which established some of the new standards to improve the quality of life of animals on farms. It stands out especially for trying to reduce some practices carried out on pigs, but it also includes modifications to other decrees on animal protection in this type of production centers in relation to the conditions and rearing of calves, laying hens and meat chickens.
Among the measures planned, there is also the creation of a coordination table on animal welfare and protection, as well as a national reference center for the livestock and aquaculture field, for which the Institute has been designated for a period of two years. Research and Food Technology of Catalonia (IRTA), in consortium with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
The text modifies the minimum standards for the protection of pigs, in order to improve farm conditions and animal management. Specifically, new values ??are established in relation to the maximum density of animals on farms and the most demanding conditions regarding their food, water, feeders and environmental conditions. It also regulates the availability of manipulable material for animals, with the ultimate goal of reducing the need to practice tail docking of pigs. The term to adopt the necessary changes is two years.
Likewise, the law establishes requirements in the case of calves. None over eight weeks of age may be confined in individual enclosures, unless certified by a veterinarian. The measurements of the enclosure must guarantee a comfortable space, at least the same height as the standing animal and somewhat greater than its length. Individual housing may not be made of solid walls and must have perforations that allow direct visual and tactile contact between the calves.
In order to ensure the improvement of internal processes, the obligation to have an animal welfare plan is extended to all farms above a certain size. A veterinarian must be in charge of preparing it and the farms have a period of 4 years to arm themselves with one.
