EU
Pigs Directive
Summary Description
Sets minimum animal welfare standards in pork production, including breeding animals, by setting maximum density levels and limiting the length of crates use (gestating and farrowing).
Topics
Species
Pigs
Jurisdiction
EU
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Legislation
Status
In force
Legal Value
Binding
Date Enacted
2008
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
Council Directive 2008/120 of 18 December 2008 Laying Down Minimum Standards for the Protection of Pigs, 2009 O.J. L 47/5 - 13 (E.U.)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Covers commercial and breeding animals.
- Has an extra-territorial effect: all piglets entering the EU must have been raised following equivalent standards set in the Directive.
- Establishes animal welfare standards:
Weaknesses
- Allows the use of gestation crates.
- Allows high density levels.
- Allows mutilations (teeth grinding and clipping, tail docking, castration, and nose-ringing).
- The extra-territorial effect of the directive only applies to imported live animals, and does not apply to imported pig meat nor exported live animals.
Related Laws/Policies
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