The authorities are taking positive preventive action ahead of the deadline for introducing group housing for sows and gilts on 1 January 2013 to determine through compulsory surveys which premises are most likely to be non-compliant.

That is among the findings of a welfare audit carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office of DG SANCO at the European Commission following an audit in May 2012 in a report just published. The action plan to ensure implementation includes risk-based checks and enforcement from the deadline.

Also put into place is a communication strategy with the pig farming sector to give a clear message that the requirements for group housing of sows and gilts from 1 January 2013 will be strictly enforced from that date.