Updated 04/12/06

Objective 2 : To improve knowledge on the extent of the practice of castration and how it is performed in Europe

2.1. To gather and evaluate the available information about the extent of the practice of castration in male and female pigs and evaluate possible interactions with other painful husbandry practices such as tail docking and tooth resection. To gather and evaluate available information about the conditions under which castration is performed in the various EU member states, associated states and candidate countries.

2.2. In countries with a substantial pig production where sufficient information is not available, to supplement the information gathered in 2.1 with original survey results.

Objective 2 is fulfilled through working package 2 "Practice"

Expected results for objective 2:

An overview of the extent of castration practice and the conditions under which castration is performed in the different states and in EU as a whole. An estimation of the number of animals involved, and the prevalence of different methods.

Verifiable indicators for objective 2

• National data sets on practice (Deliverables 2.3 and 2.4);
• Report on the practice of castration (Deliverable 2.5).