Transportation of Cattle and Pigs between EU Member States 2014–2018 – Can Data from TRACES be used to Create Overview and Inform about Potential Welfare Consequences?

Dahl-Pedersen, Kirstin; Herskin, Mette S.

doi:10.1080/10888705.2021.1923491

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…It could be argued that pigs in the early days after weaning may not gain weight, or even lose weight, which would affect the weight:height-ratio, but since the weaning date usually will be unknown, it appeared to be a better solution to ignore this and include all pigs found in the nursery pens into our general population from where the experimental pigs were drawn in a random way. From an animal transport perspective, piglets may be relocated early after weaning, but according to European legislation, they have to be at least 10 kg to take part in journeys of over 8 hours (European Regulation, 1/2005), and according to Dahl-Pedersen and Herskin (2021) , the majority of pigs transported for further fattening in the EU weigh approximately 30 kg. This means that the presented predictions of the relation between height and weight cover the most relevant weight categories.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Europe, large numbers of pigs are transported long-distance for further fattening some weeks after weaning ( Dahl-Pedersen and Herskin, 2021 ) by use of multideck trucks and trailers with deck height of approximately 60 to 70 cm. The European Regulation (EC, 1/ 2005 ) states that the height provided in means of transport should be appropriate to the size of the animals and the intended journey and that adequate ventilation, when animals are in a natural standing position, should be offered without on any account hindering the natural movements of the animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Height relative to body weight in nursery pigs

Kaiser

Foldager

Herskin

2023

Journal of Animal Science

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Among the physical dimensions of the pig body, the height has received limited scientific focus. During transport, however, where multideck trucks and trailers typically are used, detailed knowledge about the height of pigs is relevant. The body weight of pigs is often known, whereas height is more difficult to quantify as part of the pre-transport management of the pigs. Nursery pigs are one category of European pig production often subjected to long distance transport for further fattening some weeks after weaning. The present study aimed to determine the height of pigs from 5-40 kg of body weight, as well as the relation between height and body weight. The height and weight were measured for 1614 randomly selected pigs (castrates and females) from 10 Danish pig herds balanced between the two large breeding systems, DanBred (DB) and Danish Genetics (DG). From 9 herds, data from 1435 pigs of 2.8 to 40.6 kg body weight were used for establishing prediction equations, while pigs from the tenth herd were set aside for validation. The study considered using 1) polynomial regressions of various order; 2) power functions; or 3) nonlinear growth curve models. Overall, the third order polynomial with sex specific intercept and the power function with sex specific log-intercept were optimal for prediction. Nevertheless, for feasibility and due to only marginal sex differences, we suggest using common intercepts for prediction of height from weight. Taken together, the results of the present study present data for pig height in the interval from 5-40 kg body weight. Further, we suggest that a third-order polynomial or a power function can be used for pigs from at least the genetic systems DB and DG, if the pig height is to be predicted based on body weight.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Height relative to body weight in nursery pigs

Kaiser

Foldager

Herskin

2023

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Weaners: It is common practice in areas of Europe for newly weaned piglets to be transported short distances to nursery barns (multisite, integrated production) and for weaners of around 30 kg to be transported to rearing barns for further fattening (Dahl‐Pedersen and Herskin, 2021). The transport of newly weaned piglets can pose unique challenges due to their size, having lower body reserves and being less tolerant of cold stress.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of pigs during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the animal welfare legislation. The present Opinion deals with protection of pigs during transport. The welfare of pigs during transport by road is the main focus, but other means of transport are also covered. Current practices related to transport of pigs during the different stages (preparation, loading/unloading, transit and journey breaks) are described. Overall, 10 welfare consequences were identified as highly relevant for the welfare of pigs during transport based on the severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A variety of hazards were identified, mainly relating to factors such as mixing of unfamiliar pigs, inappropriate handling methods and devices, the use of pick-up pens, inexperienced/untrained handlers, structural deficiencies of vehicles and facilities, poor driving conditions, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices leading to these welfare consequences. The Opinion contains general and specific conclusions relating to the different stages of transport of pigs. Recommendations to prevent hazards and to correct or mitigate welfare consequences are made. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions and minimum space allowance within means of transport. The development of the welfare consequences over time was assessed in relation to maximum journey duration. The Opinion covers specific animal transport scenarios identified by the European Commission relating to transport of cull sows and 'special health status animals', and lists welfare concerns associated with these.

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“…From a recent analysis of TRACES (Dahl‐Pedersen and Herskin, 2021 ), approximately 4 million cattle and 33 million pigs were transported annually across MS‐borders in Europe from 2014 to 2018. For instance, in 2018, Italy imported a total number of 1,075,895 live bovine animals from several countries and of these 1,050,319 were from Europe, mainly from France (Istat, 2021, online, last accessed 5 May 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during animal transport

Koutsoumanis¹,

Allende²,

Álvarez‐Ordóñez³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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The transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between food‐producing animals (poultry, cattle and pigs) during short journeys (< 8 h) and long journeys (> 8 h) directed to other farms or to the slaughterhouse lairage (directly or with intermediate stops at assembly centres or control posts, mainly transported by road) was assessed. Among the identified risk factors contributing to the probability of transmission of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), the ones considered more important are the resistance status (presence of ARB/ARGs) of the animals pre‐transport, increased faecal shedding, hygiene of the areas and vehicles, exposure to other animals carrying and/or shedding ARB/ARGs (especially between animals of different AMR loads and/or ARB/ARG types), exposure to contaminated lairage areas and duration of transport. There are nevertheless no data whereby differences between journeys shorter or longer than 8 h can be assessed. Strategies that would reduce the probability of AMR transmission, for all animal categories include minimising the duration of transport, proper cleaning and disinfection, appropriate transport planning, organising the transport in relation to AMR criteria (transport logistics), improving animal health and welfare and/or biosecurity immediately prior to and during transport, ensuring the thermal comfort of the animals and animal segregation. Most of the aforementioned measures have similar validity if applied at lairage, assembly centres and control posts. Data gaps relating to the risk factors and the effectiveness of mitigation measures have been identified, with consequent research needs in both the short and longer term listed. Quantification of the impact of animal transportation compared to the contribution of other stages of the food‐production chain, and the interplay of duration with all risk factors on the transmission of ARB/ARGs during transport and journey breaks, were identified as urgent research needs.

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Transportation of Cattle and Pigs between EU Member States 2014–2018 – Can Data from TRACES be used to Create Overview and Inform about Potential Welfare Consequences?

Cited by 13 publications

References 17 publications

Height relative to body weight in nursery pigs

Height relative to body weight in nursery pigs

Welfare of pigs during transport

Transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during animal transport

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