The AVA position statement on castration of piglets using CO2 anaesthesia is now clear and can be summarised as follows: "With respect to animal welfare and the aim of alleviating pain during and after castration of piglets, carbon dioxide anaesthesia would not seem to be an appropriate or advisable technique."

This statement has been sent to stakeholders in the pig industry and leading experts in animal welfare throughout Europe.

In order to see how piglets respond to CO2 anaesthesia for castration, you can watch a short video [click here]. The video commentary is in Dutch but it illustrates how aversive castration under CO2 anaesthesia is for piglets.

Hans Nieuwendijk, AVA committee member has been very active in The Netherlands publicising the AVA statement on use of CO2 anaesthesia for castration in piglets. This resulted in a lead article in a Dutch newspaper and radio interviews. Dr Nieuwendijk is planning to take the issue to parliament this week.

Further Reading

-

You can view the background to the AVA statement by clicking here.

Further Reading

-

You can view the summary of Dutch media coverage on this issue (in English) last week by clicking here.