Directive 1991/630 - Minimum standards fo the protection of pigs - Main contents

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Council Directive 91/630/EEC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards fo the protection of pigs

Official Journal L 340 , 11/12/1991 P. 0033 - 0038

Finnish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 39 P. 0202

Swedish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 39 P. 0202

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

of 19 November 1991

laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs

(91/630/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas all Member States have ratified the European Convention on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes; whereas the Community has also approved this Convention by Decision 78/923/EEC (4) and has deposited its instrument of approval;

Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 20 February 1987 on animal welfare policy (5), called on the Commission to make proposals on minimum standards for the intensive farming of pigs;

Whereas pigs, being live animals, are included in the list of products set out in Annex II of the Treaty;

Whereas the keeping of pigs is an integral part of agriculture; whereas it constitutes a source of revenue for part of the agricultural population;

Whereas differences which may distort conditions of competition interfere with the smooth running of the organization of the common market in pigs and pig products;

Whereas there is therefore a need to establish common minimum standards for the protection of pigs kept for rearing and fattening in order to ensure rational development of production;

Whereas it is necessary for official services, producers, consumers and others to be kept informed of developments in this field; whereas the Commission should therefore, on the basis of a report from the Scientific Veterinary Committee, pursue actively scientific research into the best pig-rearing system(s) from the point of view of pig welfare; whereas provision should accordingly be made for an interim period to enable the Commission to complete this task successfully,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

This Directive lays down the minimum standards for the protection of pigs confined for rearing and fattening.

Article 2

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:

• 1. 

  'pig`: an animal of the porcine species, of any age, kept for breeding or fattening;

2.

'boar`: a male pig after puberty, intended for breeding;

3.

'gilt`: a female pig after puberty and before farrowing;

4.

'sow`: a female pig after the first farrowing;

5.

'farrowing sow`: a female pig between the perinatal period and the weaning of the piglets;

6.

'dry pregnant sow`: a sow between weaning her piglets and the perinatal period;

7.

'piglet`: a pig from birth to weaning;

8.

'weaner`: a pig from weaning to the age of ten weeks;

9.

'rearing pig`: a pig from ten weeks to slaughter or service;

10.

'competent authority`: a competent authority within the meaning of Article 2 (6), of Directive 90/425/EEC (6).

Article 3

Member States shall ensure that:

• 1. 

  - from 1 January 1994, all holdings newly-built or rebuilt and/or brought into use for the first time after that date shall comply with at least the following requirement:

the unobstructed floor area available to each weaner or rearing pig reared in a group must be at least:

• - 

  0,15 m$ for a pig of an average weight of 10 kg or less,

• - 

  0,20 m$ for a pig of an average weight of between 10 kg and 20 kg,

• - 

  0,30 m$ for a pig of an average weight of between 20 kg and 30 kg,

• - 

  0,40 m$ for a pig of an average weight of between 30 kg and 50 kg,

• - 

  0,55 m$ for a pig of...

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