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ANIMAL WELFARE TEST IN SWINE PRODUCTION

Daniela Torres Penna

Andrea Bedu Mendieta

INTRODUCTION

The concept of animal welfare has evolved significantly in recent decades, going from
being a marginal topic to occupying a central place in ethical, legal and social discussions
about the treatment that humans owe to animals. Awareness about animal welfare reflects
a change in perception about animals, recognizing them as sentient beings capable of
experiencing pain, suffering and pleasure. This essay will address the concept of animal
welfare from an ethical perspective, analyzing the principles that support it, the challenges
for its implementation and the importance of regulations for its protection.

ANIMAL WELFARE FROM AN ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE

The interest in animal welfare arises from an ethical imperative that questions the
relationship between humans and animals and the right of the former to use the latter for
their own purposes (Singer, 1975). Animal welfare ethics maintains that animals, being
capable of suffering, have interests that must be considered (Regan, 1983). This ethical
perspective has driven the development of laws and regulations that seek to protect
animals from unnecessary abuse and promote practices that ensure their well-being.
PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL WELFARE

The principles of animal welfare, known as the "Five Freedoms", provide a framework
for assessing and improving the welfare of animals in different contexts (FAWC, 2009).
These principles include freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort;
freedom from pain, injury or illness; freedom to express normal behaviors; and
freedom from fear and stress. These freedoms highlight the need for a holistic approach
to animal welfare that considers both their physical and psychological needs.

CHALLENGES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE

Despite the consensus on the importance of animal welfare, there are significant
challenges to its effective implementation. One of the main challenges is the variability in
laws and regulations between different countries and regions, which can lead to
inconsistent welfare standards (Fraser, 2008). Furthermore, the increasing demand for
animal products and the intensification of animal production can compromise animal
welfare if not managed properly. Animal welfare research faces the challenge of developing
objective and practical methods to evaluate animal welfare, adapted to the particularities
of each species (Dawkins, 2006).
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THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE

ANIMAL WELFARE

The creation of specific laws and regulations for animal welfare is essential to establish minimum standards of
care and protection. In the European Union, for example, animal welfare legislation is considered one of the
most advanced in the world, establishing detailed rules for the protection of animals on farms, in transport and
during slaughter (European Commission, 2020). These regulations not only seek to prevent the mistreatment
and unnecessary suffering of animals, but also reflect a broader understanding of the ethical responsibility of
humans towards other sentient beings.

POSITIVE WELFARE IN PIGS

In domestic pigs, providing opportunities to forage, play, and nest-build, along with improving the
quality of pig-human interactions, has the potential to promote positive well-being. This has led to
an increase in demand and willingness to pay for higher welfare animal products. Meeting public
demand for higher animal welfare products requires robust animal welfare assessment tools that
allow users to identify areas for potential welfare improvement, as well as identifying areas of
compromise (Kells, 2021).

According to the Council Directive, pigs must be raised in an environment that meets their needs
and allows them to exercise and express their exploratory behaviours. They should be housed in
groups and provided with favorable environmental conditions to prevent the development of
aggressive behaviors, as well as to promote natural behaviors, such as rooting. Enrichments
used in pig farms should be food-like, chewable and safe, and should also be provided in sufficient
quantity (EU Directive 2008).

Extensive outdoor housing systems is that they allow pigs to express their natural behaviors,
which limits or even excludes the development of abnormal or aggressive behaviors. However,
outdoor systems also have some disadvantages. Pigs kept in pastures or outdoor pens are
exposed to a number of uncontrolled, interacting environmental factors, including soil type and
weather conditions, as well as wild animals present in the farm area. Therefore, optimal farm
location and appropriate management strategies are essential to ensure a high level of pig
welfare, although there may be some interactions that are difficult to predict, such as ingestion of
plants that cause photosensitization. Furthermore, parasitism and crushing of piglets are still
common in extensive open-air pigpens. Outdoor pig farms are also associated with a higher risk
of introduction and spread of African swine fever compared to indoor farms (Kells, 2021).

CONCLUSION

Animal welfare is an issue of increasing importance in contemporary society, reflecting

a change in the way humans value and treat animals. Through a combination of
ethics, science and legislation, we seek to promote practices that ensure
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the well-being of animals, recognizing their capacity to experience pain and pleasure.
Although there are significant challenges to the effective implementation of animal welfare, the continued
development of laws and regulations, along with education and public awareness, are essential steps towards
a more ethical and sustainable relationship between humans and animals.

In domestic pigs, provide opportunities for foraging, playing, and nesting.

building and improving the quality of interactions between pigs and humans are possible
ways to promote positive well-being.

References
Dawkins, M. S. (2006). A user's guide to animal welfare science. *Trends in Ecology & Evolution*,
21(2), 77-82.

European Commission. (2020). Animal Welfare. Recovered of

https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare_en

Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC). (2009). Five Freedoms. Recuperado de https://
webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20121010012427/http:/www.fawc.org.u
k/freedoms.htm

Fraser, D. (2008). Understanding animal welfare. *Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica*, 50(S1), S1.

Singer, P. (1975). *Animal Liberation*. Random House.

Animal, C. d. (2021). : The Five Domains model and the promotion of well-being
positive in pigs. new Zealand.
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Kells, N. (2021). The Five Domains model and promoting positive welfare in pigs. nueva
zealand.