Pig-Vision in interview with PROVIEH
We from Pig-Vision had a conversation with PROVIEH – Verein gegen tierquälerische Massentierhaltung e.V. to obtain an opinion about the theme of a castration without anaesthesia on farrows.
Pig-Vision: A short time ago PROVIEH recorded a big success concerning McDonalds and BurgerKing. What was the theme – and which consequences did it take?
PROVIEH: „We informed McDonalds and Burger King, that we will start a public campaign, if they should not give us a binding date for their disembarkation for the using of „castrated meat”. Both firmes thought, that it was not necessary to take this information seriously. In June 2009 we started a campaign with radio spots and letters to both companies. The consequence was, that they declared to stop using „castrated meat” until the 1st January 2011. We have chosen these firmes, because they use only less pig meat for their products. Because of this it is easier for them to get meat from companies, which do not castrate anymore. The aspired abandonment of farrow-castration without anaesthesia ist not only good for animal protection, but only for the pig industry. Meat from a boar is more delicate, the costs for the mast are lower, because boars get faster muscles and less fat than their castrated fellows. In earlier times the castration of farrows was accompanied by myths, which can be debilitated. One of these myth is, that boars argue more often. That is not right. Boars fight out their ranking and when they are accepted in their group, there will be no more fights. Only if they will be new formed with new group members, it is possible that those fights will start again.“
Pig-Vision: Which critic has PROVIEH on the castration without anaesthesia?
PROVIEH: „Provieh criticises not only the castration without anaesthesia, but also the castration with anaesthesia. In both cases the consequence is pain and apathy for days, and the cut may cause death of pathogens. In general castration is the reason for economic casualties. Experts of castration are able to castrate fast and competent. But it is evidenced, that laymen will aggravate the situation of the farrows. And there will be always laymen.”
Pig-Vision: Does it give more critical points concerning the usual pig mast?
PROVIEH: „Other critique we see in the loveless high dimensions of mast under industrial conditions. Physical complaints and conduct disorders are nearly always the consequence. Pigs are intelligent, they need a minimum on attention and opportunities to use their intelligence. When there is no offer, pigs will get conduct disorders like clipping of the tails from their fellows. That is the reason why tails are partial docked. Also this is often realized unprofessional. In this case not only the boneless part of tail will be cutted. PROVIEH speaks for the general stopping of pig castration. This demand is satisfiable, if pigs will get enough attention and employment opportunities.
Pig-Vision: How does the ideal keeping of pigs looks like for PROVIEH?
PROVIEH: „The ideal keeping of pigs should be species-appropriate. Pigs must be able to fulfil their needs. If pigs are in same groups from the beginning of their life, they have already fight out their ranking and will not argue or bite themselves anymore. The ideal keeping has to be loveful, too. This is not possible in industrial factory farmings, where are only less employees. An ideal keeping also includes a manageable amount of pig groups.”
Pig-Vision: Thanks a lot for the interview and much success for the future of your work!
The interview partner of PROVIEH was: Prof. Dr. Sievert Lorenzen and Stefan Johnigk. The interviewer were: Michael Hartl and Robert Kresse.
