Pig sector requests RSPCA guidance over welfare revisions

A leading welfare assurance scheme has been called on to support pig farmers as they adjust to a raft of extra welfare demands.

New standards from RSPCA Assured include split sexing pigs at a younger age and constraints on the use of equipment to rear surplus piglets. 

The National Pig Association has urged the RSPCA to engage in ongoing discussions to support pig producers through the changes.

See also: Red Tractor pig welfare training scheme ready to roll

The new standards either come into force on 3 March 2025 or a year later, depending on their practical day-to-day impact.

Katie Jarvis, National Pig Association (NPA) senior policy advisor said: “It is essential that assurance schemes continue to consult their members when altering or introducing new standards to ensure any new requirements are not only evidence based, but also financially assessed and feasible.”

She highlighted split sexing as a practice that will add cost and complication for some units:

“The NPA encourages ongoing discussion between RSPCA Assured and its members to support them through this change.”

Some of the key changes include:

• Surplus-pig rearing equipment Equipment for surplus piglet rearing will be prohibited, barring emergency welfare situations
• Split sexing piglets The introduction of separating male and female pigs by the time they reach an average live weight of 50kg. This has been reduced from 110kg and said to have been lowered to reduce male aggression and mounting of females (must be met by 3 March 2026)
• Haulier standards Cull sows and boars must be transported to RSPCA transport standards by an RSPCA Assured-approved haulier (must be met by 3 March 2026)
• Approved abattoirs Cull sows and boars must be slaughtered according to RSPCA slaughter standards at an RSPCA-approved abattoir. This rule comes in on 3 March 2026 (must be met by 3 March 2026).

Farmer support

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We know change is always difficult, but we hope it will reassure members that we’ve provided more than a year’s notice for some of the most significant updates to the standards. 

“We are here to support and advise new, potential and existing RSPCA Assured members during this period to ensure they’re ready to meet the new standards and encourage them to get in touch with our farming engagement team.”