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Farm assurance

RSPCA Assured updates welfare standards for pigs

Alistair DriverBy Alistair DriverDecember 2, 20244 Mins Read
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RSPCA Assured has updated its pig welfare standards for 2025, including changes requiring split sexing at a younger age, the management of large litters and the transportation of cull sows and boars. 

The new standards, most of which must be met by members by March 3, 2025, with a few, which may require some farms to make adjustments, coming into effect on March 3, 2026, include:

  • The introduction of split-sexing of male and female pigs by the time they reach an average live weight of 50kg. This has been reduced from 110kg in the current version of the standards. This must be met by March 3, 2026. RSPCA Assured said this is an important change because females in mixed-sex groups are frequently subjected to aggression and mounting by males.
  • Cull sows and boars must be transported according to the RSPCA’s transport standards – and by an RSPCA Assured-approved haulier. They must also be slaughtered according to the RSPCA’s slaughter standards at an RSPCA Assured-approved abattoir. This requirement also comes in on March 3, 2026.
  • The use of off-site lairaging facilities must not be used as an extension of the abattoirs’ on-site lairage. Off-site lairages may only be used in emergency situations.
  • A prohibition on the use of equipment that is designed to rear surplus piglets, except in emergency situations to protect the welfare of sick piglets. An example of this type of equipment is a rescue deck – a box with a milk line system – where piglets from very large litters are typically placed with the idea of reducing competition for their mothers’ milk.

NPA senior policy adviser Katie Jarvis pointed out a few further areas within the document that RSPCA Assured is looking at. These include:

Space allowances page 3: The RSPCA is reviewing the minimum space requirements set out under standard E 5.1 and will be requiring more space for pigs in these systems in the next version of the standards. Any producers that are looking to install such systems are strongly encouraged to contact the RSPCA Farm Animals Department at the earliest opportunity.

Indoor farrowing page 4: The RSPCA is reviewing the following standards on indoor farrowing. Any producers that are looking to install such systems are therefore strongly encouraged to contact the RSPCA Farm Animals Department at the earliest opportunity.

Gas killing page 16: The RSPCA wants to see a rapid phaseout of the legal use of carbon dioxide gas killing systems in their current form, which is long overdue, and humane alternatives developed. In light of further research and developments into humane alternatives, the RSPCA will review the timescale for a phase out within these standards and would like to see this happen as soon as practically possible.

More information can be found in an explanatory note on the RSPCA Assured website.

Contribution to welfare

An RSPCA Assured spokesperson said: “These new RSPCA welfare standards for pigs mean RSPCA Assured members will be making an even bigger contribution to pig welfare from 2025.

“We know change is always difficult, but we hope it will reassure members that we’ve provided more than a year’s notice for some of the most significant updates to the standards.

“We are here to support and advise new, potential and existing RSPCA Assured members during this period to ensure they’re ready to meet the new standards and encourage them to get in touch with our farming engagement team.”

The scheme said its welfare standards are continually improved and progressed using the latest scientific research, robust well-considered evidence and practical farming experience.

During this process, the RSPCA consults other animal welfare and agricultural scientists, veterinary surgeons, retailers and farming industry representatives in an effort to ensure the standards continue to be at the forefront of farm animal care and welfare, while also being achievable on commercial farms.

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Alistair Driver

Editor Pig World, group editor Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Farm Contractor. National Pig Association webmaster. Former political editor at Farmers Guardian. Occasional media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm. Works from a shed in his Oxfordshire garden.

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