The NPA has set out its position on the transition to flexible farrowing systems for indoor breeding herds, based on a voluntary, industry-led approach, rather than legislation.
The NPA believes a 20-year transition period to new farrowing systems should be permitted, during which time new conventional systems cannot be installed, although repairs and individual replacements of conventional pens could still be carried out.
The NPA position paper also specifies some of the details around the pen the association believes will deliver the right balance between pig welfare, ease of management and affordability.
These include a 5.5m2 minimum pen size and a maximum of 10 days confinement total throughout the entire farrowing and suckling period.
The paper also addresses the high costs of conversion. The Building Suppliers Forum (BSF) estimates that it could cost £3,500-£5,000 per sow place to refurbish an existing building with a new system and £5,000-£8,000 for a new building – and this does not include planning or any other associated costs.
The BSF also estimates that the current capacity of the building industry would require 15 years to transition all units from conventional to flexible farrowing. Again, this does not include lengthy planning and permitting processes which on average take an additional 1.5-2 years.
The NPA stresses that the transition must be supported by the market and by infrastructure grants in order to make it viable for producers and not push businesses out of pig production.
There is a big focus on worker safety and the need for everyone using these systems to have adequate training.
Transition
NPA senior policy adviser Katie Jarvis said the pig industry has already started to take steps away from conventional farrowing systems.
“Research has begun in earnest into flexible farrowing systems and the impact on pre-weaning mortality and other issues. Many producers have already taken the plunge and invested in this infrastructure, which has enabled us to use their commercial experience to form our NPA position,” she said.
“It is widely agreed that now is the time to start publicly discussing a transition away from conventional farrowing and towards flexible farrowing. Retailers are already able to source product from Europe, which is produced from flexible farrowing systems, we have a new government which will likely look to the EU for examples on how to legislate in this area, and as a sector we are ready to look at ways to improve sow welfare.
“This position paper has drawn together producer experience, pricing information and construction knowledge from the BSF, academic research, the NPA’s Commercial Review of Adaptive Farrowing Systems, AHDB’s economic analysis and member feedback.
“It seeks to explain the direction of travel for the industry and to set a blueprint for flexible farrowing systems, including technical specifications and what is required for a successful transition.”
- You can read the NPA’s position paper here: NPA Position Paper Flexible Farrowing Systems