No C 62/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 3. 90 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) concerning minimum standards 
for the protection of pigs kept in intensive farming systems (*) 
(90/C 62/14) 
On 5 July 1989, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the abovementioned 
proposal. 
The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's 
work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 30 November 1989. The Rapporteur was Mr Storie-
Pugh. 
At its 272nd Plenary Session (meeting of 20 December 1989) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion by 57 votes to 30 against and 15 abstentions: 
The Committee supports the proposal of the Commission 
concerning minimum standards for the protection of pigs 
kept in intensive farming systems and makes a number of 
recommendations, but considers that some of the Com­
mission's proposals appear unnecessary for the majority of 
pig farmers who are responsible and provide for the 
physiological requirements of pigs. 
1. General comments 
1.1. There is a considerable concern about the welfare 
problems caused by the keeping of sows in stalls with or 
without tethering on a continuous basis. 
1.2. The pig is a social-living animal with a natural urge 
to explore. Systems of extreme restraint which may 
characterize stalls and tethers can cause stress, and lead to 
stereotyped behaviour and other problems. 
1.3. However, it is also recognized that some group-
housing systems could also lead to welfare problems such 
as vulva-biting and excessive fighting which is mainly 
associated with feeding activities. 
1.4. Although research is being carried out to solve the 
problems posed by group-housing it was not yet so far 
advanced that a definite recommendation could be made to 
prohibit the use of sow stalls and/or tethers in favour of the 
group-housing systems. 
1.5. The Committee considers that the criticism which 
has been expressed over the keeping of sows in stables or 
tethers is exaggerated though it may be that such a 
recommendation might be possible following the Commis­
sion report due before 1 January 1994. In the meantime 
both systems should be allowed. 
1.6. The Committee supports the policy of the Commis­
sion to propose legislation on a proven factual and 
scientific basis in this area. 
(!) OJ No C 143, 9. 6. 1989. 2. Specific comments 
2.1. Article 1 
Concern was expressed about the legal status of the 
Annexes and it is recommended that Article 1 should make 
it clear that the Regulation includes the Annexes. 
2.2. Article 2 (3), boar 
There is concern that some boars, particularly, those used 
as 'teasers' are kept in inadequate conditions and should 
therefore be included in this definition. 
Proposed new wording: 
'Boar: a male pig after puberty, intended for breeding 
procedures'. 
2.3. Article 2 (6) 
Proposed new wording: 
'Farrowing sow: a sow between the start of the 
perinatal period and weaning the piglets'. 
2.4. Article 3 (1) (a) 
This section encourages the farmer to consider the 
behavioural requirements of the sow but it should be made 
clear that exercise must take place in a properly constructed 
or free range area. 
2.5. Article 3 (1) (b) 
Concern was expressed that these space allowances would 
need to be increased if they referred to the total floor area 
available to the pig. They were adequate, however, if 
applied to the lying area only. Therefore new wording for 
the introductory sentence: 
'The unobstructed floor area available to each weaner 
or rearing pig for lying purposes and separate from the 
dunging area, shall not be less than...'. 
12. 3. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 62/41 
2.6. Article 3 (2) 
Add the new sentence: 
'Consideration should be given to extending the date of 
1 January 1999 to 1 January 2005 if the economic 
consequences for pig farmers are shown to be too 
severe.' 
2.7. A new article to be inserted between present 
Article 7 and Article 8 to make the following point: 
The draft Regulation is not clear in regard to enforcement. 
It is important that Member States should be required to 
provide for adequate sanctions for contravention of this 
Regulation. 
2.8. Article 8 (3) 
Any inspections carried out should not lead to any 
increased risk of spreading disease. 
The paragraph should be re-worded: 
'General rules for the application of this Article, 
particularly with regard to proper precautions to 
prevent the spread of disease, shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10.' 
2.9. Article 11 
The exact meaning should be clarified to avoid ambiguity. 
3. Annex A 
General conditions 
3.1. Paragraph 6 
Re-word as follows: 
'Pigs shall not be kept permanently in darkness. Either 
artificial or natural lighting shall be provided for at least 
eight hours daily. Artificial lighting shall be available 
and of sufficient intensity to inspect the pigs at any 
time.' 
3.2. Paragraph 9, second sentence 
For clarification the first part of this sentence should read 
'Advice from a veterinarian shall be...'. 3.3. Paragraphs 11 and 12 
One of the important behavioural requirements of pigs is to 
have an area for lying or sleeping which is separate from the 
area used for dunging. It is obvious that the tethering 
system cannot provide for separate lying and dunging 
areas. Only when group-housing systems replace tethering 
can the requirements laid down in paragraphs 11 and 12 of 
the Commission's proposals be satisfied. 
3.4. Paragraph 14 
Between 'Floors shall be' and 'smooth' insert the words: 
'constructed and maintained so as to be'. 
3.5. Paragraphs 15 and 16 
There is concern that the feeding of sows, even twice daily, 
does not lead to the natural hunger of the sow being 
satisfied. It should be possible to ensure that the type of 
food used contains enough bulk to satisfy the feeling of 
hunger. 
3.6. Paragraph 17 
The requirement for water depends on various factors such 
as milk yield of the sow, environmental temperature etc. 
and some pigs may need water earlier than two weeks of 
age. 
It is proposed that the age at which all pigs shall have access 
to water be reduced from two weeks to one week. 
3.7. Paragraph 20 
It is accepted that alternative material to straw must be 
referred to in this paragraph. Nevertheless emphasis should 
be made on the fact that straw is the best material to satisfy 
the behavioural needs of the pig. 
4. Annex B 
4.1. J Boars 1 
Proposed additional wording: 
'Boar pens shall be sited and constructed so as to allow 
the boar to turn around, have the sound, smell and 
sight...' 
This is important not only for the welfare of the boar but 
also for semen production and quality, male libido etc. 
4.2. / Boars 2 
Concern is expressed about the minimum pen size of 6 m2 
as this would appear to be adequate for only very small 
boars. The pen should be designed so that the boar can turn 
around in both the lying and dunging area. 
Therefore it is proposed that this should be 8 m2. 
No C 62/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 3. 90 
Consideration should be given to prohibiting castration of 
pigs altogether although if it is to be allowed then it must 
never be carried out without anaesthesia unless the pig is 
less than four weeks of age. Whilst not disagreeing with the 
Commission's intention, doubt was expressed whether this 
recommendation is in the correct place in the legislation 
framework. 
4.5. IV Piglets 6; second paragraph 
Re-word: 
'Only the tips of the teeth and the tails may be removed 
and within three days of birth'. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
APPENDIX 1 
The following Members or their representatives voted in favour of the Opinion: 
Mr/Mrs/Miss : 
ASPINALL, BERGER, BERTON, BLESER, BODDY, BOISSEREE, BOS, BROICHER, CHRISTIE, 
CORTOIS, COYLE, van DAM, DODD, van EEKERT, ETTY, EULEN, FLATHER, FLUM, FREEMAN, 
GEUENICH, GIACOMELLI, GREDAL, GREEN, HANCOCK, HILKENS, HORSKEN, HOUTHUYS, 
JASCHICK, KENNA, KIRCHFIELD, KROGER, LAPPAS, LOW, MEYER HORN, MORELAND, 
MURPHY, NETO da SILVA, ORSI, PEARSON, PETERSEN, PROUMENS, RANGONI-MACHIAVELLI, 
ROBINSON, ROLAO GONgALVES, ROMOLI, ROSEINGRAVE, SALMON, SANTILLAN CABEZA, 
SCHMITZ, STORIE-PUGH, TAMLIN, TELLES, TIEMANN, VANDEN BROUCKE, VERCELLINO, 
YVERNEAU, ZUFIAUR NARVAIZA. 
The following Members or their representatives voted against the Opinion: 
Mr/Mrs/Miss: 
APARICIO BRAVO, ARETS, ATAIDE, BENTO GONgALVES, BERETTA, BERNS, VASCO CAL, 
CAVAZZUTI, COLLAS, ALVES CONDE, DE TAVERNIER, DONCK, DOS SANTOS, ELSTNER, 
GARCIA MORALES, LIVERANI, LUCHETTI, MACHADO VON TSCHUSI, MAINETTI, MANTOVANI, 
MARGALEF MASIA, MAYAYO BELLO, PARDON, PELLETIER Robert, SCHNIEDERS, SOLARI, 
VELASCO MANCEBO, VIDAL, WICK, WILLIAMS. 
The following Members or their representatives abstained: 
Mr/Mrs/Miss: 
CEYRAC, DELLA CROCE, GOMEZ MARTINEZ, HOVGAARD JAKOBSEN, KAZAZIS, MARGOT, 
MORALES, MULLER, RIBIERE, SCHNITKER, SCHOEPGES, SCHWEITZER, VALLEJO CALDERON, 
WAGNER, WALDACK. 4.3. IV Piglets 3; second line 
Insert 'other supplements' between 'necessary' and 'elec­
trolytes'. 
4.4. IV Piglets 5 
Recent research has shown that boar taint can be identified 
by examining carcases at slaughterhouses. Boar taint is 
only present in a small percentage of uncastrated pigs but 
can be found occasionally in pigs of only 40 kilos in weight 
and even although rare, in female pigs. It is well known that 
castration is an economically wasteful exercise as well as 
painful and distressing to the pig. 
Done at Brussels, 20 December 1989.