Different alternatives are being discussed, and one of the most accepted is the production of entire male pigs, which may accumulate boar taint.

IRTA is organising on 24 - 25 April, the 1st International Training Course On Alternatives To Pig Castration, on-line Detection Methods For Boar Taint And Meat Quality, in Monells (Girona, Spain), addressed to professionals of the pig sector with the objective to answer the following questions:

• What percentage of commercialised entire male carcasses and cuts accumulate boar taint? Is this percentage different from some years ago? Why?
• Why surgical castration is currently questioned in Europe?
• Which are the alternatives to surgical castration that Europe is considering?
• Which are the potential markets and commercial applications for boar tainted meat?
• Which percentage of consumers is susceptible to detect boar taint in fresh meat and meat products?
• What can we expect from consumer preferences and willingness to pay for fresh pig meat?
• Which are the social consequences derived from the new potential regulation (welfare, ethics etc.)?
• How does the new potential regulation impact on purchasing decisions?
• Which detection systems could be used to select boar carcasses with boar taint?
• What is the Human Nose methodology? How can be applied in-line and at-line?

This course is addressed to Quality and Food Safety Managers and technicians of the whole pork production chain (slaughterhouses, cutting plants, meat industry). Retailers, Sales & Marketing Staff, Veterinarians.

You can find out more information by clicking here.