Comparing health and welfare of pigs farmed in conventional and in organic systems in Estonia

Abstract

In 2014 the Estonian Veterinary and Food Safety board passed a decree forbidding swine to have access to outdoors, because of the spread of African swine fever. Since then all pigs have been kept inside, possibly influencing the welfare of organic pigs. This study compared the welfare and health of pigs raised in conventional and in organic systems in Estonia regarding these changes in the farming of pigs. Data were gathered from three organic and three conventional production systems. Selected parameters for comparison were: stocking densities, behaviour, human-animal approach test, lameness, dirtiness, ear and tail biting, skin wounds and shoulder ulcers. Also faecal samples for parasitic egg counts were taken. Organic farms had poorer human-animal interactions compared to conventional farms, but were better in regards to the social and exploratory behaviour among pigs. Also, organic production systems were slightly better regarding lameness and dirtiness compared to conventional farms. There was no difference regarding numbers of shoulder ulcers between the production systems. Additionally, organic farms had less tail biting and skin wounds than on conventional farms. Out of 16 fresh faecal samples taken from organic farms 12 had parasite eggs, while out of 20 samples taken from conventional farms 0 were positive. There was no evidence for a clear benefit to the welfare and health of pigs on organic farms compared to conventional farms.

Eesti Veterinaar- ja Toiduamet võttis vastu määruse 2014 aastal, mis keelas sigu lasta välja õue ja hoida sööta väljas, et piirata Sigade aafrika katku levikut. Alates sellest on kõik sead hoitud siseruumides, mõjutades mahesigade heaolu. Antud uurimus võrdleb tava- ja mahesigade heaolu ning tervist Eestis, kui muutus mahesigade pidamisviis. Andmeid koguti kolmest mahefarmist ja kolmest tavafarmist. Valitud parameetrid võrdluseks olid loomade paigutustihedus, sigade käitumine, looma reaktsioon inimese lähenemisel, longe, loomade puhtus, õlavarrepiirkonna haavandid, naha-, kõrva- ja sabahaavad. Samuti võeti ka roojaproove uurimaks siseparasiitide nakkussuurust. Uurimuses avastati, et mahefarmides on halvem looma reaktsioon inimese lähenemisel kui tavafarmides, kuid parem sotsiaalne ja väljenduslik käitumine sigadel. Lisaks oli mahefarmides vähem longet ja määrdunud loomi kui tavafarmides. Erinevust ei olnud õlavarrepiirkonna haavandite osakaalus mõlemas pidamissüsteemis. Mahefarmides oli vähem saba- ja nahahaavu. Kuueteistkümnest mahefarmidest võetud värsketest roojaproovidest 12 leiti parasiidimune, kui 20 tavafarmide roojaproovidest ei olnud üheski parasiidimune. Uurimusest ei selgunud ühelgi pidamissüsteemil eelist teisele.