Does the application of directive 2001/93/EC improve pigs welfare and productive performances?

Recently, with the aim to protect swine and enhance their welfare, a set of international rules has been approved by the European Commission (directive 91/630/CEE; 2001/88 CEE; 2001/93/CEE). These regulations have been perceived by farmers has an ineffective and costly obligation, whereas we are strongly convinced that they can improve animal welfare increasing therefore productive performances. It has been demonstrated that there is a positive correlation among welfare, environment and the incidence of diseases. A survey to investigate animal welfare has been conducted in 80 industrial pig farms. All findings have been correlated with productive and reproductive performances. Out of 80 sites investigated 76.3% (n=61) presented some non-conformity. Within the 61, for 12 (19.6%) straw bedding or alternative stuff was not provided; for 9 (15%) there was no infirmary; for 6 (10%) no water was made available ad libitum, for 5 (8%) visual contact with other animals was not allowed and the remaining 4 (7%) were in stalls to small for boars. Concerning air quality, ammonia and carbon dioxide levels appeared generally high and in some cases above the normal concentration. Data of reproductive performances (number of total piglet born, piglet born alive, litter weight before weaning, number of weaned piglets per sow, number of farrows per sow per year) were collected in 44 farms. For each parameter the descriptive statistic (mean ± standard deviation) was calculated. Farms were subdivides in height groups based on the number of non-conformity (1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and higher than 7). The distribution was tested using Shapiro Wilk technique which indicate that data were normally distributed. Correlation between reproductive performances and number of non-conformity was defined through the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, P<0.05 was considered significant. No specific correlations were found between non conformities and the reproductive parameter as well as no relationship between the type of non-conformity and the reproductive performances was identified. Nevertheless the statistical analysis indicate that there is a negative correlation (r=-0.33; P=0.02) between the accumulation of non-conformities and the number of weaned piglets per sow and per year. In fact the number of weaned piglets weaned per sow and per year ranged from 7.7 to 11.9 with a difference of over 50% In conclusion although we could not identify a specific trend linking non conformities with the reproductive parameters there are indications that the respect of the international required standards permit to achieve good productivity. These preliminary findings suggest that further investigations should be carried out to define to which extent environmental factors may influence the productive and reproductive performances. Particularly the investigations should be completed adding, multivariate logistic regression.