Castration of piglets on EU agenda
// 25 Mar 2008
European researchers are working together on the EU- project PIGCAS, which has as its overall objective to provide information on pig castration that will support EU policy,
Costs
In 2007, research was carried out into the welfare
aspects of anaesthetic procedures. Researchers calculated that castration with
anaesthetics costs €1 per piglet carried out by a vet and €13m for the
total sector per year.
CO²
Castration using CO² appears to be a better choice. A
visit to Switzerland is planned, where this practice is in a more advanced stage
of development.
Development of prototypes
Last year,
researchers from the Dutch Animal Sciences Group, carried out a study into
castration using a gas anaesthetic containing a mixture 70% CO² and 30% O².
Tests are being carried out since the beginning of this year into instruments
developed abroad.
Spread of costs
In February this
year, the Dutch Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI) has begun to
create a cost calculation tool. The results of which will be available as of
June this year.
Related website:
• LEI
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