Updated 04/12/06

Objective 1: To assess the attitudes of the different stakeholders about surgical pig castration without anaesthesia and its possible alternatives

1.1. To collect and evaluate the available information about the attitudes (perception of the issue and of the possible ways to address it) of stakeholders (consumer groups, NGOs, pork supply chain) regarding piglet castration without anaesthesia and its possible alternatives. To derive points of convergence and of divergence both between and within the different categories of stakeholders:

1.1.a. To collect information at a national level;

1.1.b. To summarise the information at an international level, derive common trends and variations between countries.

1.2. To establish contacts and facilitate the mutual knowledge of attitudes between the scientific community and the various categories of stakeholders.

Objective 1is fulfilled through working package 1 "Attitudes"

Expected results for objective 1:

For the European Commission: A preliminary assessment of the attitudes of different EU stakeholders and their regional variations, with identification of points of convergence and divergence (clashes of interest) between stakeholder categories

For the scientific community: A improved knowledge of the attitudes of the various stakeholders and their regional variations, with identification of points of convergence and divergence (clashes of interest) between stakeholder categories.

For the various stakeholders: An improved mutual knowledge of attitudes, and a starting point for further discussions on how to overcome differences in perspective (in areas of legislation, trade and R&D).

Verifiable indicators for objective 1