1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 1
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►B COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 19 November 1991
laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs
(91/630/EEC)
(OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 33)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Council Directive 2001/88/EC of 23 October 2001 L 316 1 1.12.2001
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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 19 November 1991
laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs
(91/630/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(3),
Whereas all Member States have ratified the European Convention on
the protection of animals kept for farming purposes; whereas the
Community has also approved this Convention by Decision 78/923/EEC(
4) and has deposited its instrument of approval;
Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 20 February 1987
on animal welfare policy(5), called on the Commission to make
proposals on minimum standards for the intensive farming of pigs;
Whereas pigs, being live animals, are included in the list of products set
out in Annex II of the Treaty;
Whereas the keeping of pigs is an integral part of agriculture; whereas it
constitutes a source of revenue for part of the agricultural population;
Whereas differences which may distort conditions of competition
interfere with the smooth running of the organization of the commonmarket in pigs and pig products;
Whereas there is therefore a need to establish common minimum
standards for the protection of pigs kept for rearing and fattening in
order to ensure rational development of production;
Whereas it is necessary for official services, producers, consumers and
others to be kept informed of developments in this field; whereas theCommission should therefore, on the basis of a report from the ScientificVeterinary Committee, pursue actively scientific research into the best
pig-rearing system(s) from the point of view of pig welfare; whereas
provision should accordingly be made for an interim period to enable theCommission to complete this task successfully,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
This Directive lays down the minimum standards for the protection of
pigs confined for rearing and fattening.
Article 2
For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:
1. ‘pig’: an animal of the porcine species, of any age, kept for breeding
or fattening;
2. ‘boar’: a male pig after puberty, intended for breeding;3. ‘gilt’: a female pig after puberty and before farrowing;
4. ‘sow’: a female pig after the first farrowing;1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 214, 21. 8. 1989, p. 31.
(2) OJ No C 113, 7. 5. 1990, p. 183.
(3) OJ No C 62, 12. 3. 1990, p. 40.
(4) OJ No L 323, 17. 11. 1978, p. 12.
(5) OJ No C 76, 23. 3. 1987, p. 185.
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5. ‘farrowing sow’: a female pig between the perinatal period and the
weaning of the piglets;
6. ‘dry pregnant sow’: a sow between weaning her piglets and the
perinatal period;
7. ‘piglet’: apig from birth to wea ning;
8. ‘weaner’: a pig from weaning to the age of ten weeks;
9. ‘rearing pig’: a pig from ten weeks to slaughter or service;
10. ‘competent authority’: a competent authority within the meaning of
Article 2 (6), of Directive 90/425/EEC(1).
Article 3
Member States shall ensure as follows:1. all holdings shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) the unobstructed floor area available to each weaner or rearing
pig kept in a group, excluding gilts after service and sows, mustbe at least:
Live weight, kg m2
Up to 10 0,15
Over 10 up to 20 0,20Over 20 up to 30 0,30Over 30 up to 50 0,40
Over 50 up to 85 0,55
Over 85 up to 110 0,65More than 110 1,00
(b) the total unobstructed floor area available to each gilt after
service and to each sow when gilts and/or sows are kept in groupsmust be at least 1,64 m
2and 2,25 m2respectively. When these
animals are kept in groups of less than 6 individuals theunobstructed floor area must be increased by 10 %. When theseanimals are kept in groups of 40 or more individuals the
unobstructed floor area may be decreased by 10 %;
2. flooring surfaces shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) for gilts after service and pregnant sows: a part of the area
required in 1(b), equal to at least 0,95 m
2per gilt and at least 1,3
m2per sow, must be of continuous solid floor of which a
maximum of 15 % is reserved for drainage openings;
(b) when concrete slatted floors are used for pigs kept in groups:
(i) the maximum width of the openings must be:
— 11 mm for piglets,
— 14 mm for weaners,
— 18 mm for rearing pigs,— 20 mm for gilts after service and sows;
(ii) the minimum slat width must be:
— 50 mm for piglets and weaners, and
— 80 mm for rearing pigs, gilts after service and sows;1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 3
(1) OJ No L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/
496/EEC (OJ No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 56).▼M1
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3. the construction of or conversion to installations in which sows and
gilts are tethered is prohibited. From 1 January 2006 the use of tethersfor sows and gilts shall be prohibited;
4. (a) sows and gilts shall be kept in groups during a period starting
from 4 weeks after the service to 1 week before the expected timeof farrowing. The pen where the group is kept must have sidesgreater than 2,8 m in length. When less than 6 individuals arekept in agroup the pen where the group is kept must ha ve sides
greater than 2,4 m in length;
(b) by way of derogation from the provisions of (a), sows and gilts
raised on holdings of fewer than 10 sows may be keptindividually during the period mentioned in (a), provided thatthey can turn around easily in their boxes;
5. without prejudice to the requirements laid down in the Annex, sows
and gilts shall have permanent access to manipulable material at leastcomplying with the relevant requirements of that Annex;
6. sows and gilts kept in groups must be fed using a system which
ensures that each individual can obtain sufficient food even when
competitors for the food are present;
7. to satisfy their hunger and given the need to chew, all dry pregnant
sows and gilts must be given a sufficient quantity of bulky or high-fibre food as well as high-energy food;
8. pigs which have to be kept in groups, which are particular aggressors,
which have been attacked by other pigs or which are sick or injured,may temporarily be kept in individual pens. In this case the individualpen used shall allow the animal to turn around easily if this is not incontradiction with specific veterinary advice;
9. from 1 January 2003 provisions laid down in points 1(b), 2, 4, 5 and
the last sentence of point 8 shall apply to all holdings newly built orrebuilt or brought into use for the first time after that date. From 1January 2013 those provisions shall apply to all holdings.
The provisions laid down in point 4(a) shall not apply to holdings
with fewer than ten sows.
Article 4
1. Member States shall ensure that the conditions for rearing pigs
comply with the general provisions laid down in the Annex.
However, until 30 June 1995, the Member States' competent authorities
may authorize derogations from paragraphs 3, 5, 8 and 11 of Chapter I
of the Annex.
2. Moreover, before this Directive enters into force, the Commission,
in cooperation with the Member States, shall issue a recommendationdefining any additional minimum standards for the protection of pigssupplementing those in the Annex.
Article 5
The provisions of the Annex may be amended in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 10, in order to take account of scientificprogress.
Article 5a
Member States shall ensure that:1. any person who employs or engages persons to attend to pigs ensures
that the person attending to the animals has received instructions andguidance on the relevant provisions of Article 3 and the Annex;
2. appropriate training courses are available. In particular such training
courses must focus on welfare aspects.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 4
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Article 6
1. Preferably before 1 January 2005 and in any event by 1 July 2005,
the Commission shall submit to the Council a report, drawn up on thebasis of an opinion from the Scientific Committee on Animal Health andWelfare. The report shall be drawn up taking into account the socio-
economic consequences, the sanitary consequences, the environmental
effects and different climatic conditions. It shall also take into accountthe development of techniques and systems of pig production and meatprocessing which would be likely to reduce the need to resort to surgicalcastration. If need be, the report shall be accompanied by appropriate
legislative proposals on the effects of different space allowances and
floor types applicable to the welfare of weaners and rearing pigs. TheCouncil shall act on these proposals by a qualified majority.
2. Not later than 1 January 2008 the Commission shall submit to the
Council a report, drawn up on the basis of an opinion from the ScientificCommittee on Animal Health and Welfare.
The report shall cover in particular:
(a) the effects of stocking density, including group size and methods of
grouping the animals, in different farming systems on the welfare,including health, of pigs;
(b) the impact of stall design and different flooring types on the welfare,
including health, of pigs, taking into account different climatic
conditions;
(c) the risk factors associated with tail biting and recommendations to
reduce the need for tail docking;
(d) further developments of group-housing systems for pregnant sows,
taking account both of pathological, zootechnical, physiological and
ethological aspects of the various systems and of their health and
environmental impact and of the different climatic conditions;
(e) the determination of space requirements, including the service area
for individually housed adult breeding boars;
(f) further developments of loose-house systems for sows in the service
area and for farrowing sows, which meet the needs of the sow
without compromising piglet survival;
(g) consumers' attitudes and behaviour towards pigmeat in the event of
different levels of improvement in the welfare of the animals;
(h) socio-economic implications of the various systems of rearing pigs
and their effects on the Community's economic partners.
The report may, if necessary, be accompanied by appropriate legislative
proposals.
Article 7
1. Member States shall ensure that inspections are carried out under
the responsibility of the competent authority in order to check that theprovisions of this Directive and its Annex are being complied with.
These inspections, which may be carried out on the occasion of checks
made for other purposes, shall each year cover a statistically
representative sample of the different rearing systems used in each
Member State.
2. The Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down
in Article 10, draw up a code of rules to be applied in carrying out theinspections provided for in paragraph 1.
3. Every two years, by the last working day in April and for the first
time by 30 April 1996, Member States shall inform the Commission ofthe results of the inspections carried out during the previous two years inaccordance with this Article, including the number of inspections carriedout in proportion to the number of holdings in their territory.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 5
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Article 8
Animals imported from non-member countries must, with respect to the
requirements for their welfare, whilst being reared, receive treatment at
least equivalent to that guaranteed by this Directive to animals of
Community origin. This requirement must be stated in a certificateissued by the competent authority of the non-member countryconcerned.
Article 9
Veterinary experts from the Commission may, where necessary for the
uniform application of this Directive, carry out on-the-spot checks in
cooperation with the competent authorities. The persons carrying outthese checks shall implement the special personal hygiene measuresnecessary to exclude any risk of transmission of disease.
The Member State in the territory of which a check is being carried out
shall give all necessary assistance to the experts in carrying out their
duties. The Commission shall inform the competent authority of the
Member State concerned of the results of the checks.
The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall take any
measures which may prove necessary to take account of the results ofthe check.
With regard to relations with non-member countries, the provisions of
Chapter III of Directive 91/496/EEC(
1) shall apply.
General rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10.
Article 10
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Veterinary
Committee established by Decision 68/361/EEC(2) (hereinafter referred
to as ‘the Committee’).
2. Where reference is made to this Article, Articles 5 and 7 of
Council Decision 1999/468/EC(3) shall apply.
The period referred to in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be
set at three months.
3. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
Article 11
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions, including any sanctions, necessary to comply
with this Directive not later than 1 January 1994. They shall forthwith
inform the Commission thereof.
Where Member States adopt these provisions, the latter shall include a
reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a referenceon their official publication. The details of this reference shall be
adopted by the Member States.
2. However, from the date set in paragraph 1, Member States may, in
compliance with the general rules of the Treaty, maintain or applywithin their territories stricter provisions for the protection of pigs thanthose laid down in this Directive. They shall inform the Commission ofany such measures.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 6
(1) OJ No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 56.
(2) OJ L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23.
(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.▼M1
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Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 7
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ANNEX
CHAPTER I
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Materials used for the construction of housing, particularly stalls and
equipment with which the pigs may come into contact, must not be harmful
to the pigs and must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
2. Until Community rules are laid down on the matter, electrical circuits and
equipment must be installed in accordance with national rules in force so as
to avoid electric shocks.
3. Insulation, heating and ventilation of the building must ensure that air
circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentra-
tions are kept within limits which are not harmful to the pigs.
4. All automated or mechanical equipment essential for the pigs' health and
welfare must be inspected at least once daily. Where defects are discovered,
these must be rectified immediately or, if this is impossible, appropriate steps
must be taken to safeguard the health and well-being of the pigs until the
defect has been rectified, notably by using alternative methods of feeding and
maintaining a satisfactory environment. Where an artificial ventilation
system is used, provision must be made for an appropriate back-up system to
guarantee sufficient air renewal to preserve the health and well-being of the
pigs in the event of failure of the system, and an alarm system must be
provided to warn the stock-keeper of the failure. The alarm system must be
tested regularly.
5. Pigs must not be kept permanently in darkness. To meet their behavioural
and physiological needs, provision must be made, allowing for the different
climatic conditions in the Member States, for appropriate natural or artificial
lighting; if the latter, it must function for a period at least equivalent to the
period of natural light normally available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In
addition, suitable lighting (fixed or portable) strong enough to allow the pigs
to be inspected at any time must be available.
6. All pigs reared in groups or in stalls must be inspected by the owner or the
person responsible for the animals at least once a day. Any pig which appears
to be ill or injured must be treated appropriately without delay. It should be
possible, wherever necessary, to isolate sick or injured pigs in adequate
accommodation with dry, comfortable bedding. Veterinary advice must be
obtained as soon as possible for pigs which are not responding to the stock-
keeper's care.
7. If pigs are kept together, measures must be taken to prevent fighting which
goes beyond normal behaviour. Pigs which show persistent aggression
towards others or are victims of such aggression must be isolated or kept
separate from the group.
8. The accommodation for pigs must be constructed in such a way as to allow
each pig to:
— lie down, rest and stand up without difficulty,
— have a clean place in which it can rest,— see other pigs.
9. Where tethers are used, they must not cause injury to the pigs and must be
inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.
Each tether shall be of sufficient length to allow the pigs to move as
stipulated in paragraph 8. The design must be such as to avoid, as far as
possible, any risk of strangulation or injury.
10. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils used for pigs must be properly cleaned
and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease-
carrying organisms. Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed
as often as necessary to reduce smell and avoid attracting flies or rodents.
11. Floors must be smooth but not slippery so as to prevent injury to the pigs and
so designed as not to cause injury or suffering to pigs standing or lying on
them. They must be suitable for the size and weight of the pigs and form a
rigid, even and stable surface. The lying area must be comfortable, clean and
adequately drained and must not adversely affect the pigs. Where bedding is
provided, this must be clean, dry and not harmful to the pigs.
12. All pigs must be provided with a diet appropriate to their age, weight and
behavioural and physiological needs, to promote a positive state of health and
well-being.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 8
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13. All pigs must be fed at least once a day. Where pigs are housed in groups and
not fed ad libitum, or by an automatic feeding system, each pig must have
access to the food at the same time as the others in the group.
14. All pigs over two weeks of age must have access to a sufficient quantity of
fresh water or be able to satisfy their fluid intake needs by drinking other
liquids.
15. Feeding and watering equipment must be designed, constructed, placed and
maintained so that contamination of the pigs' feed and water is minimized.
16. In addition to the measures normally taken to prevent tail-biting and other
vices and in order to enable them to satisfy their behavioural needs, all pigs,
taking into account environment and stocking density, must be able to obtain
straw or any other suitable material or object.
CHAPTER II
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF PIGS
I. BOARS
Boar pens must be sited and constructed so as to allow the boar to turn round
and to hear, smell and see other pigs, and to provide for clean resting areas.
The lying area must be dry and comfortable. The minimum pen size for an
adult boar shall be 6 m2. However, a larger area must be provided where pens
are used for service.
II. SOWS AND GILTS
1. Pregnant sows and gilts must, if necessary, be treated against external and
internal parasites. If they are placed in farrowing crates, pregnant sows
and gilts must be thoroughly cleaned.
2. They must be provided with a clean, adequately drained, comfortable
lying area and must, if necessary, be given suitable nesting material.
3. An unobstructed area behind the sow or gilt must be available for the ease
of natural or assisted farrowing.
4. Farrowing crates where sows are kept loose must have some means of
protecting the piglets, such as farrowing rails.
III. PIGLETS
1. If necessary, piglets must be provided with a source of heat and a solid,
dry and comfortable lying area away from the sow where all of them can
rest at the same time.
2. Where a farrowing crate is used, the piglets must have sufficient space to
be able to be suckled without difficulty.
3. If practised, the castration of male pigs aged over four weeks may be
carried out only under anaesthetic by a veterinarian or a person qualified
in accordance with national legislation.
4. Neither tail docking nor tooth clipping must be carried out routinely but
only when there is evidence, on the farm, that injuries to sows' teats or to
other pigs' ears or tails have occurred as a result of not carrying out these
procedures. Where tooth clipping appears necessary, this must be carried
out within seven days of birth.
5. Piglets must not be weaned from the sow at less than three weeks of age
unless the welfare or health of the dam or piglets would otherwise beadversely affected.
IV. WEANERS AND REARING PIGS
Pigs must be placed in groups as soon as possible after weaning. They should
be kept in stable groups with as little mixing as possible.1991L0630 — EN — 01.12.2001 — 001.001 — 9