Now it's toys for pigs - by order (From Gazette & Herald)

Now it's toys for pigs - by order

PIG farmers are facing fines of up to £2,500 - if they don't supply their animals with toys.

New EU legislation, expected to come into force next Friday rules that the animals be given "manipulable materials" to keep them entertained.

The legislation suggests that toys such as footballs and basketballs be introduced to sties, but that the toys should be changed on a regular basis to introduce a novelty factor and stop the pigs from getting tired of the same playthings.

Farmers have 90 days to comply with the new rulings, or face prosecution and fines for every charge.

Pig farmer Grant Burton, who farms at Wilberfoss, said: "It just strikes me that this is bureaucracy gone mad.

"If a farmer has a problem with boredom in pigs he knows that and does something about it."

Mr Burton said he thought the idea of giving pigs toys to keep them entertained had been a passing fad some years ago.

"I suspect the reason they stopped was that it did not take the pigs long to eat them."

A spokeswoman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the legislation was being brought in to improve the quality of life for pigs.

"This tightens up the existing requirements for environmental enrichment by allowing pigs to have permanent access to a sufficient quality of manipulable materials to enable proper investigation and manipulable activities which is an important behavioural need in pigs."

The UK is currently implementing two EU pig directives by amending the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000.

They are also revising welfare codes for pigs and cattle at the same time.

The State Veterinary Service will be in charge of enforcing the regulations and will also advise farmers on what materials would best fit their unit.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, January 30, 2003