Farmers face jail if pigs don't get toys
Discussion
British farmers have 90 days to put a toy in every pigsty or face a £1,000 fine or three months in jail.
In a new EU ruling farmers have to supply an object to keep pigs happy and deter them from chewing each other.
The Times says the ruling becomes law in Britain next week.
Official instructions to farmers are to give pigs "environmental enrichment" by providing "manipulable material", which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs defined as balls.
A spokesman said: "We mean footballs and basketballs. Farmers may also need to change the balls so the pigs don't get tired with the same one.
These rules are based on good welfare. We don't want to come across as the nanny state, but the important thing is to see pigs happy in their environment and they like to forage with their noses."
The Government is not ready to recommend specific toys, however, because they know of no firm manufacturing playthings for pigs.
Mark White, past president of the Pig Veterinary Society, said: "Pigs have a habit of chewing each other and they do it in all environments and especially go for pigs' tails and ears. Animal welfarists have been arguing that we should not dock tails of pigs.
"They think if we provide pigs with things to relieve their boredom then they will not chew each other."
In a new EU ruling farmers have to supply an object to keep pigs happy and deter them from chewing each other.
The Times says the ruling becomes law in Britain next week.
Official instructions to farmers are to give pigs "environmental enrichment" by providing "manipulable material", which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs defined as balls.
A spokesman said: "We mean footballs and basketballs. Farmers may also need to change the balls so the pigs don't get tired with the same one.
These rules are based on good welfare. We don't want to come across as the nanny state, but the important thing is to see pigs happy in their environment and they like to forage with their noses."
The Government is not ready to recommend specific toys, however, because they know of no firm manufacturing playthings for pigs.
Mark White, past president of the Pig Veterinary Society, said: "Pigs have a habit of chewing each other and they do it in all environments and especially go for pigs' tails and ears. Animal welfarists have been arguing that we should not dock tails of pigs.
"They think if we provide pigs with things to relieve their boredom then they will not chew each other."
I think this a great idea.
anyone see that advert on the telly where a footballer passes the ball to a cow ..? .. magic. Let's see if the pigs can better that.
..but really if pigs are bored and they're harming each other because of it then I welcome the move. A happy pig is a tasty pig (so I say .. not actually backed up by any scientific evidence..)
anyone see that advert on the telly where a footballer passes the ball to a cow ..? .. magic. Let's see if the pigs can better that.
..but really if pigs are bored and they're harming each other because of it then I welcome the move. A happy pig is a tasty pig (so I say .. not actually backed up by any scientific evidence..)
Mrs Fish you really need to get something for your Parkinsons disease.. 
let's use the other thread as that has more replies..
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=27791&f=23&h=0
let's use the other thread as that has more replies..
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=27791&f=23&h=0
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