In 2013, Patrick Chevillon from the French pork institute IFIP in Le Rheu provided a presentation to the European Parliament’s Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals. Chevillon presented the research results from studies at pig farms, among consumers and into exceptional products related to boar taint.
In France it has also become apparent that ending the castration of male piglets isn’t going to happen overnight. The various target groups represent a number of challenges that require a step-by-step approach. Specific guidelines apply for pig farmers who wish to raise boars properly.
A reliable boar taint detection system at the slaughterhouses is one of the key factors for being able to stop castration. The Human Nose System detection method can provide an initial solution for recognising and excluding meat with boar taint. In order to be able to guarantee the consumer acceptance of boar meat androstenone and skatole limits have to be set.
Producing uncastrated pigs can affect the quality of a number of traditional products such as dried hams from France, Spain and Italy. Research into more animal-friendly castration methods is required to find possible solutions for these products.
Click here for Patrick Chevillon of the IFIP’s presentation. For further information on the IFIP/Patrick Chevillon e-mail: