Amsterdam, December 1st, 2011

 Pig farmer Annechien ten Have-Mellema:

“Retail and NGO’s have to support farmers”

 “Pig farmers want to end castration of male piglets, but we need the support of all partners in the pork supply chain,” stated pig farmer and chairman of farmers organization LTO Nederland, Annechien ten Have-Mellema, at the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ in Amsterdam on December 1^st, 2011. Ten Have-Mellema  emphasized the need of co-operation within the whole chain as the key factor for successful ending of castration of male piglets in 2018 in the EU. 

 During the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ Ten Have-Mellema explained that in the Netherlands anti-castration is high on the agenda since the beginning this century.

In 2007 all partners in the pork supply chain in the Netherlands agreed on the goal to end castration in 2015.

 No castration has advantages for the pig farmer, Ten Have-Mellema said. ,,At our farm we do realize better technical results. A financial benefit of plus 7 Euro can be reached with boars compared to barrows. Another advantage is that we can end inconvenient castration labour.” Pig farmer Annechien ten Have-Mellema sketched her positive experiences in raising boars during the last 15 years. ,,Working with boars is not more difficult, but it is different. Of course we have challenges and we  still have a lot to learn. The key to success in this matter is the cooperation between the pig farmer and his advisros from  the feed company and the veterinarian.”

 Annechien ten Have-Mellema emphasized that pig farmers want and can change the situation. But only if all partners in the pork supply chain embrace the Brussels declaration. ,,Our European farmers organization Copa-Cogeca signed the declaration already. We really hope other parties will follow.”
Towards NGO’s and retail parties Ten Have-Mellema said: ,,Let us put together maximum effort in market acceptance and to find solutions for some challenges we still have to conquer. We need the support of European retail, food companies and NGO’s. To them I say, join us to reach our goals in 2018.”

 About Annechien ten Have-Mellema

Annechien ten Have-Mellema is pig farmer, chairman of the steering committee of the Dutch project ‘Ending castration of male piglets’, vice-chairman of the Product Board for Livestock and Meat and chairman of the Dutch farmers organization LTO Nederland, section pig farming. Ten Have-Mellema has a family-operated breeding farm with 320 sows, production of gilts and fattening pigs. Since 1995 the farm is fattening non-castrated boars. Since 2000 sows are housed in groups on straw.

Amsterdam, December 1^st, 2011

Marcello Marchesi

Italy will require a special exemption from the proposed 2018 regulations. This concluded Marcello Marchesi, the representative of ASSOCARNI at the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’.

Italy is producing heavy pigs, especially for their Parma ham, a PDO product that has to meet specific requirements. Various research has been done to find solutions, Marchesi said. But at this moment there is no solution for boars that are raised for Parma ham.

Italy is producing heavy and expensive pigs for their famous Parma ham. The Parma ham is a PDO product (Protected Designation of Origin). The governing body IPQ (Instituto Parma Qualitá) has set specifications to make the difference between the Parma ham and non Parma ham. Parma ham is one of the oldest and most well-known characteristic products of Italy, like pasta, pizza and Parmagiano cheese.

Marchesi, the representative of the Italian meat industry association ASSOCARNI, explained to the audience that various field trials have been carried out in Italy. Amongst others immunocastration. The meat quality however was in the end too lean for Parma ham production and the specifications did not meet the IPQ requirements. Up till now no solutions were found in the nutritional area, nor in genetics. Marcello Marchesi mentioned that at the moment genetics research is carried out that could lead to interesting results.

For the moment, however, Marchesi concluded: ,,Italy produces the heaviest pigs in the world. Sexual maturity occurs at least three months before the typical Italian slaughter weight. Immunocastration will improve productivity, but has undesirable negative side effects for Parma ham production. Italy will require a special exemption from the proposed 2018 regulations.”

 About Marcello Marchesi

Marcello Marchesi works in the Martini Group, a large integrated company with interests in feed, pigs, poultry and rabbit production. The pig production at Martini amounts to 550.000 pigs per year.

Marcello Marchesi was born and educated in England. He worked at the Meat and Livestock Commission as a pig specialist officer in Yorkshire and Scotland. In 1988 Marcello moved to Italy. At the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ Marchesi is representing Assocarni, the national association representing the Italian meat industry.

Amsterdam, December 1st, 2011

 

Eurogroup for Animals: Michel Courat

The European declaration of Brussels is a major step forward for pig welfare. But it needs a follow up to reach the goal of ending castration of male piglets in the European Union in 2018. During the International conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ in Amsterdam on December 1^st, 2011, Michel Courat of the Eurogroup for Animals called up all parties in the  European pork production chain to sign the Declaration of Brussels. ,,NGO’s will be supportive where they can, but will at the other hand stay vigilant, “ Courat said.

 Speaking at the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’, Courat mentioned that the key for success is mainly in the hands of the retail and food companies. They have to enforce the ambition of the declaration of Brussels throughout the whole pork supply chain. Positive points are already the voluntary commitment of mayor players to end castration of male piglets in the EU in combination with the funding of scientific research by the European Committee to find solutions for the still existing challenges.

“Castration under anaesthesia and also immunocastration, is only a temporary option towards complete ending of castration in 2018”. Courat said.

According to Courat the first important steps are taken. ,,It is achievable,” the policy officer of Eurogroup for Animals said. ,,But Eurogroup for Animals will stay very vigilant.” To follow the process, an effective and independent reporting is needed. There is also an urgent need to build and strengthen relationships among all stakeholders in  the pork production chain. ,,Those parties who did not sign the Declaration of Brussels yet, should do it now. No one should stay behind.”

 About Michel Courat

Michel Courat is policy officer for farm animals at Eurogroup for Animals. Courat is a veterinary surgeon. He joined Eurogroup for Animals in 2008 after having spent 9 years as a veterinarian in the UK working for the Meat Hygiene Service. In that period he worked on implementing and enforcing the European and British animal welfare and hygiene legislation.

Amsterdam, December 1^st, 2011

 Maria Angels Oliver, researcher at IRTA:

At the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ on December 1^st, 2011, researcher Maria Angels Oliver emphasized two important influencing factors to end castration of male piglets in the EU in 2018. There is an urgent need to focus on market acceptance and on satisfying consumer demands, stated Angels Oliver. The IRTA researcher showed the results of research already been executed and showed the way to necessary new research to take the next steps.

In her presentation at the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ in Amsterdam, December 1^st, 2011, Maria Angels Oliver gave an overview of all the research that has been done so far. Surveys were done on the attitudes of stakeholders inside the production chain. Research projects are running on feeding, breeding and management at the pig farm. Various studies were done to detect the incidence of tainted carcasses. New methods for on-line detection of boar taint were developed, i.e. the electrochemical biosensor and the human nose. ,,We know much more now and many results surprised us,” Angels Oliver said.

Within the pork production chain we have to inform each other about these results and we must learn from each other experiences.”

According to Angels Oliver, the main, and most challenging research lies now in the area of market acceptance and consumer demands.  ,,Buying decisions are based on knowledge but also very strong on emotions. Behaviour, thinking and acting can be very different. Boar taint can influence consumer decisions negative. We have to find out what the key drivers are at consumer level.”

,,We definitely will be able to find solutions for pig farming issues like breeding, feeding and management.  Just as we can find out what the key drivers for consumers are. But,” Angels Oliver emphasized, ,,to reach the goal to end castration in 2018, researchers must  work closely together with all stakeholders in the pork supply chain to create market and consumer acceptance.”

About Maria Angels Oliver

Dr. Maria Angels Oliver is head of the IRTA Product Quality Department at the University in Barcelona, Spain. She is an international leader in the field of boar taint studies and meat quality. Her main research area is the quality of meat, from a technological, nutritional and sensorial (boar taint- consumer studies) point of view, including its relationship with genetics and sustainability.  She has participated  in International projects (Cooperation research projects with Uruguay), FP5, FP6 and FP7 (Young train, PIGCAS, SABRE, ALCASDE, Quality pork-chains), as well as in Interregional cooperation (OTRAC). She has been working extensively in research projects with the European pork sector.

Amsterdam, November 30^th, 2011

 

 

Gé Backus, researcher at Wageningen University: 

At the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ on November 30^th, 2011, researcher Gé Backus from Wageningen University concludes that in 2011 the Dutch food retail market made a gigantic and successful leap forward in selling meat form entire male pigs. Dutch retail and food service only sell meat from non castrated pigs, and companies are satisfied and benefiting from better reputation. Market acceptance is realized and pork meat consumption showed the same development as poultry meat consumption.

 

Gé Backus emphasized that learning from each other is crucial to the success of the Declaration of Brussels which aims to end castration of male piglets in the EU in 2018. Myths about boar taint are obstacles to the thinking about and debating relevant directions for solutions. Backus presented five myths about boar taint that cause narrow-mindedness.

In his presentation at the international conference ‘Boars heading for 2018’ in Amsterdam, November 30^th, 2011, Gé Backus gave an overview on the emerging media coverage of the castration issue in several European countries. Gé Backus said “there is an increasing sense of urgency in several countries and NGO’s play a major role as driving factor.”

According to Gé Backus, recent research has gradually unraveled myths about boar taint. Two examples are that gilts can’t produce boar taint and that more than 20% of boars have boar taint. The main, and most challenging research lies now in the areas of market acceptance and animal welfare. ,,Solutions to prevent boar taint are a combination of preventive measures – breeding, feeding and farm management – and a safety net at the slaughter-line. Adequate housing and feeding can prevent aggressive behaviour.”

,,We are making progress on an age old issue. But each country has its own clock speed”.. But,” Gé Backus emphasized, ,,Learning from each other is crucial to reach the goal to end castration in 2018,.”

About Gé Backus

Gé Backus is head of the research area Consumer & Behaviour at LEI Wageningen UR. He is internationally recognized as a leading expert in the field of intensive animal husbandry and supply chain management. He advised several major international food companies and public authorities like FAO and World Bank regarding sustainability issues. He is coordinator of the national 5-year Dutch research program “Stopping the castration of piglets”.

International conference Boars heading for 2018

Honoring Michel Bonneau

At the international conference Boars heading for 2018 in Amsterdam Michel Bonneau, PhD was honored by the Organizing Committee for his outstanding contribution to solving the castration issue. Michel Bonneau is known as the expert on topics on boar taint. He spent his professional career during almost 40 years at INRA, the French International Institute for Agricultural Research.  His major achievements were scientific research on production, physiology of boars, importance of compounds related to boar taint and sensory studies, for which he was internationally highly recognized.

Michel Bonneau contributed during his career highly to activities of the EAAP Annual Meeting as President of the Pig Commission (European Federation of Animal Science). EAAP represents the professional interests of scientists, academics, professionals and producers, technicians, extension officers, governmental departments and farmer organizations. He was for years the leader of the network of scientists on the “EAAP Working group on production and utilization of meat from entire male pigs”.

Michel Bonneau was one of the leading coordinating scientists of national and international research programs, most of them being related to boar taint.

Michel Bonneau was born in December 1950. Michel grew up on a small farm in Bretagne in France and studied in Paris and Rennes.

Michel Bonneau will (probably partly) retire from 2012 onwards to spend time with his wife, daughters and grand children.

More information on Michel Bonneau is available at

http://www.agrocampus-ouest.fr/infoglueDeliverLive/themes/recherche/departements-enseignement-recherche/sciences-animal/page-perso/michel-bonneau

The international conference “Boars heading for 2018” , to be held in Amsterdam November 30^th – December  2^nd,  is – with over 130 guests – fully booked. Representatives of all major European countries and from all parts of the pork production chain – from farmers  till NGO’s – will attend the conference.
Over 50 scientists registered for the satellite Scientific Program on December 2^nd. For this program the registration is also closed.

In almost all European countries the issues of castration of male piglets, animal welfare and boar taint are topics of discussion. Although more and more information is getting available through intensive research, there still are many challenges. Major challenges are for example market acceptance, cultural differences and management on the pig farm.
The overall goal of the conference is to make further steps towards a European solution and to meet the EU ambition to stop castration of male piglets in 2018.

During the conference, EU representative Andrea Gavinelli and  international speakers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands will give their view on the challenges and possible solutions in their part of the production chain.

 

One of the conference sessions at the EAAP 2011 Annual Meeting on August 30 in Stavanger did focus on “Consumer studies of the consequences of stopping piglet castration”. Papers were presented on ‘Consumer attitude and acceptance of boar taint’, ‘Androstenone cut-off levels for acceptability of entire male pork by French consumers’, ‘Consumer awareness and acceptance of the method of surgical castration and the use of vaccination to control boar taint’, ‘Acceptability of meat with different levels of boar taint compounds for Spanish and English consumers’, and ‘Consumer perception of meat from entire male pigs as affected by labeling and malodorous compounds’.

More information can be obtained at http://www.eaap.org/Stavanger/Sessions/Session%2023.html

During a meeting on February 28th,2011  over 100 European stakeholders gathered in Brussels to discuss the follow-up of the Declaration of Brussels.  During the meeting chairman Gavinelli announced that a steering group would be established  in the summer of 2011 to manage and co-ordinate a number of activities. One of the tasks of the steering group is to develop a research program.
In The Netherlands research is executed in a joint interest between Animal Science Group of Wageningen University and Research Centre, VION Food Group and the Institute for Pig Genetics. The research is financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and the Dutch Productboard for Livestock and Meat.

In various countries projects are started tot develop better testmethods to detect board taint.
In a Dutch research project  the following subjects are investigated: consumerperception and -behaviour related to boar taint, prevention of boar taint, development of reliable methods to detect meat with boar taint and guarantee of animal welfare of non-castrated male pigs.
The Dutch pig farming sector focus primarily on preventing boar taint.