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| Project background and methodology
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This page summarises the
project structure and
activities.
| Objectives |
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The objectives were to
review and develop indicators for the on-farm assessment of the welfare
of farmed pigs in New Zealand, culminating in the delivery of a robust
working tool for practical implementation. This tool was assessed for
reliability and subjected to a validation exercise. |
| Service
delivery |
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A summary of the work
performed can
be sequentially listed as follows:
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1. |
An
initial literature review was performed, which contextualised
current science-based approaches for welfare provision and assessment
and described international best practice. By detailing assessment
structures (including relevant legislature) in several major
pig-producing countries, the review provided a comparative framework
for the development of an appropriate assessment system which will
assure welfare outcomes in New Zealand. |
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2. |
On
the basis of this
work, the project team subsequently identified and compiled a
proposed list of indicators for possible implementation. |
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3. |
The
project team was committed to careful and thorough consultation to
ensure the recommended indicators were developed in agreement with, and
with the acceptance of, all key stakeholders. This was ensured by
convening two stakeholder workshops to capture the input and
expertise of the participants, by prioritising and reducing the
'longlist' of putative indicators to a 'shortlist', and by discussing
the options for format and delivery of the assessment
protocol. Key
stakeholders were identified as MAFBNZ, NAWAC,
RNZSPCA, the NZ Pig
Veterinary Society, the NZ
Pork
Industry Board, and representatives of pork producers. |
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4. |
A
robust protocol for on-farm implementation was developed,
incorporating the indicators identified as being important. A dual
approach to assessment was taken. In keeping with recent welfare
science and currently recognised priorities, the protocol has a strong
focus on animal-based welfare outcomes. It concurrently uses the more
facilities-based Minimum Standards (defined in the Animal Welfare
(Pigs) Code of Welfare (2005)) as a touchstone, as this
provides the legislation that is currently in force. |
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5. |
This
tool was assessed for practicality, reliability and validity by project
personnel on a commercial pig farm. The team presented the protocol and
reported on the findings to the stakeholder participants; adjustments
and modifications were made on the basis of feeback and discussion. A
limited on-farm trial of the 'final' protocol was performed by two pig
veterinarians. Final changes were made to fine-tune the protocol. |
| Reporting |
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Reporting was carried out at
various
timepoints over the project duration. The following documents were
prepared, circulated and submitted: |
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the
literature review and initial list of indicators was submitted to MAF,
and circulated to the stakeholders;
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outputs
of the first stakeholder workshop were circulated to the participants,
as well as MAF; |
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outputs
of the second stakeholder workshop were circulated to the participants,
as well as MAF; |
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a
draft final report was submitted to MAF, which compiles and
incorporates all of the project outputs; |
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this
was modified on the basis of feedback and comments from MAF to
constitute a final report. |
| Project personnel |
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The project team at Massey
University
draws on the combined expertise of researchers internationally
recognized in the fields of animal behaviour and welfare, with
extensive knowledge of porcine behaviour and welfare, and is strongly
networked with NZ pork producers and international pork industry
researchers and groups. The team consisted of the following people: |
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Ian
Barugh: BAgrSci, DipSc
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Dr
Daan Vink:
DVM, PhD |
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Professor
David Mellor: BSc (Hons), PhD, HonAssocRCVS, ONZM |
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Eric
Neumann: DVM, MS |
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Kevin
Stafford: MSc, PhD |
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Dr
Patrick Morel: DipIng-Agr, DrScTech |
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