Dutch Prepare for Sow Stall Ban
NETHERLANDS - Group housing of sows and gilts from 1 January 2013 will be strictly enforced from that date, according to the Dutch authorities.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.