In recent years, research has been conducted in a large number of European countries into alternatives to unanaesthetised castration of piglets. Researchers have been cataloguing data on immunocastration, anaesthetised castration, sperm sexing, genetics and the raising of uncastrated boars in their own countries. The research conducted in the various European countries was inventoried. This will bring together all the research so that European parties can utilise the data, knowledge and experience available
Since the close of 2013, the expert group has catalogued the research projects underway or concluded in the UK, France, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. Research programmes and their funding differ per country and are based on national situations and objectives. In total, approximately € 4,000,000 has been spent on research in Europe so far, the majority of which was financed by pork chains.
UK
In the UK a wide variety of research has been conducted into boar taint detection methods since 2010. A study into slaughter line boar taint detection will conclude at the end of 2014. Research has also been carried out into the effect of immunocastration on meat quality. The studies were, in the main, funded by the industry and conducted by the University of the West of England in Bristol.
France
In France, parties in the pork chain have financed various studies into the effects of non-castration. In 2014/2015, tests will be carried out that are intended to provide insight into the effects of diet on the skatole levels in the pigs’ back fat. In France, just as in the Netherlands, research is being conducted into the HNS (Human Nose System) detection method during the slaughter process. The possible connection between boar taint and inheritable traits has also already been studied for a number of years now. Another project is looking for a relationship between genomic information and boar taint in various breeds of pig. Finally, French researchers are looking into the effects of nutrition on behaviour, growth and the risk of boar taint. Consumer responses have also been gauged.
Spain
A number of different studies have been underway in Spain since 2010. A study into selling options and the meat quality of uncastrated boars that started in 2011 will conclude this year. The research takes place against the background of the new European policy aimed at stopping the castration of male piglets.
The consequences of alternatives to castrating pigs on extensive production systems has been catalogued since 2010 and will conclude this year. Finally, a study was conducted in 2012 into the observation of boar taint.
Denmark
In Denmark one research project was started in 2010 and two in 2012. One of the studies is looking into possible measures that could be taken at pig farms to limit the risk of boar taint. Research is also underway in Denmark into optimum detection methods for both skatole and androstenone. Finally, a fast, reliable method for identifying carcasses on the slaughter line that are going to develop boar taint is being looked into.
Belgium
The universities of Leuven and Ghent have been commissioned to conduct research by the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research – ILVO – (Instituut voor Landbouw- en Visserijonderzoek) in Belgium. A five-year study catalogued the connection between selecting for boar taint in comparison to the technical results, effects on pig behaviour and the carcass and meat quality. Since 2013 research has been carried out into husbandry measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of boar taint. Boar taint detection methods are also being tested that can be implemented in slaughterhouses. The latter research will continue up until September 2017.
A study that started in 2013, and which will be completed in 2015, will examine the raising of uncastrated and castrated boars with a view to optimising animal welfare, growth results and carcass quality. This research programme will also pay attention to the information exchange between pig farmers who have given up castration and those that are going to stop in 2018.
Germany
In Germany research has been conducted since 2012 into the effects of ending boar castration. The German research is entirely funded by the German Ministry of Agriculture. Various universities worked on the study partly in collaboration with the German pork sector. These research programmes will run until the end of 2014 and 2015. They focus on preventing boar taint using genetic selection, the usage of the HNS detection method and the development of bio markers as an alternative to detection.
One of the studies is cataloguing the effects of feed and breeding lines on boar taint in organic pig farming. Possible processing options for meat with boar taint are also being examined. Finally, the qualitative and quantitative sides to meat production from uncastrated boars such as the sensory aspects of the meat and carcass classification are also being studied in Germany.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands a multi-year research programme is underway that, for the most part, was completed in 2013. The programme was partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and half was paid for through the Product Board for Livestock, Meat and Eggs by the pork sector. The government, NGOs, scientists and pork chain parties collaborated closely and successfully on the project.
The final sub-study will be completed in 2014. The research results report can be found at: boars2018.com.