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<p>Defra’s Code of Recommendations for pigs, which all pig-keepers must be familiar
with, provides guidance on how to comply with the legal requirements in relation to
environmental enrichment and routine tail-docking. When carrying out an inspection
of a pig unit, the Animal Health and Plant Health Agency evaluate the provision of
enrichment material and whether pigs are routinely tail-docked without a justifiable
reason and will apply breaches where non-compliances are found.</p><p> </p><p>There
are health and welfare reasons for continuing to tail-dock in certain circumstances,
but we and the pig industry recognise a need to improve the quality of enrichment
materials available for all pigs and increase opportunities to stop tail-docking.</p><p>
</p><p>Defra contributed to a European Commission research project by Bristol University
which informed the EU Commission’s recently published guidance on tail docking and
enrichment materials. We are working with the industry to implement these recommendations
on tail docking and enrichment which were published earlier this year.</p><p> </p><p>
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