Literature Review on the Pre-Slaughter Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs.

Marika Vitali,Eleonora Nannoni,Luca Sardi,Giovanna Martelli

doi:10.3390/ani11123352

Marika Vitali, Eleonora Nannoni + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123352

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Abstract

This work provides a narrative review of the available information on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs in the pre-slaughter phase (transport, lairage, and stunning). The meat from these pigs is used for specific PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products, and the production rules for these specialties require higher body weight (160-170 kg) and age (in general more than 9 months) at slaughter than in most other countries. This may lead to specific behavioral and physiological needs of pigs. The present paper summarizes the main research findings and knowledge gaps for each of the pre-slaughter phases. Studies are presented according to the four principles of the Welfare Quality assessment protocol (good feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior). The results of the literature review indicate a lack of knowledge on several aspects. Most of studies were carried out in a single slaughterhouse, making it difficult to identify risk factors and confounding effects. Moreover, animal-based measures were assessed using different protocols, reducing the possibility of comparison across studies. These findings may serve as a basis for the development of specific research studies and policies aimed at enhancing the animal welfare level and the ethical attributes of this renowned production, also in accordance with consumers' expectations.

Highlights

Consumers’ concern about the welfare of farmed animals has increased in recent years, progressively including implicit quality attributes such as the ethical value of the animal-derived products they purchase [1,2]
The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs in the pre-slaughter phase and how it could be monitored using animal-based measures (ABMs)
Studies on the welfare level of Italian heavy pigs could be beneficial under other production contexts. This manuscript narratively reviews studies focused on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs in the pre-slaughter phases

Summary

Introduction

Consumers’ concern about the welfare of farmed animals has increased in recent years, progressively including implicit quality attributes such as the ethical value of the animal-derived products they purchase [1,2]. This is relevant in the case of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products. A large proportion of consumers, expect these specialties to have been produced according to high/very high animal welfare standards [2]. An extensive report from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) reviewed the risk factors determining poor welfare for pigs at slaughter [5]. The report highlighted the need to identify more indicators, especially animal-based measures (ABMs) and to validate them

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