Rural Payments and Services

Up-to-date recommendations on the welfare needs of pigs have been published by the Scottish Government.

The Guidance for the Welfare of Pigs aims to give information and advice in line with good practice to help pig keepers meet the needs of their pigs following new developments in the understanding of pig welfare.

The guidance does not add additional legal requirements; instead, its purpose is to help farmers comply with existing legislation. The Scottish Government has worked closely with a range of industry and welfare organisations to strengthen and refine the recommendations while ensuring that they are practical for industry purposes.

Applying to farmed pigs under all types of husbandry systems in Scotland, the new guidance replaces the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs, published in 2012.