In mid-April, a meeting was organised in Paris by Zoetis France and PMAF (Protection mondiale des animaux de ferme – worldwide protection of farm animals) for a large group of stakeholders (sector organisations, meat processors and supermarkets) on halting the castration of male pigs.
The available alternatives to unanaesthetised castration were discussed from anaesthetised castration and vaccination to ceasing castration.
An important element of the discussion were the opportunities and challenges facing organic pig farming particularly in relation to the use of Improvac.
The utility and necessity of informing consumers was also dealt with.
Various supermarket organisations attended the French meeting. Unfortunately the meat processing industry was largely absent.