New animal welfare regulations threaten pork farms in León

New animal welfare rules will come into force on pig farms in León from March 2025, which has sparked discussion among agricultural organizations. The sector, in particular Iberian pork, is experiencing rapid development in the area in response to the report of the Agri-Food Observatory of Castile and León. The report highlights the growth of the pig population in León, with Iberian pigs recording a significant development of 47.3%.

The UPA in Castile and León raised issues regarding new legal guidelines on animal welfare, which will put pressure on farms to expand or reduce animal diversity, which would likely threaten the farms’ livelihoods. The Ministry of Agriculture has recognized these considerations and is open to increasing numbers of residents if animal welfare measures are proposed.

UPA advocates the placement of decoys to prevent pig accidents and plans to present current proposals for the pork sector to Interprofessional Interporc. The aim is to develop a common plan to maintain the profitability of pig farming, highlighting their importance in Spain and Europe.

The main mission of the Agricultural Institute of Technology of Castile and León (Itacyl) is to regulate digestive diseases and reduce weight problems in pigs in order to improve the welfare of farm animals, provide vitamins and reduce air pollution. The importance of investigating and containing diseases on pig farms was highlighted, as this has a constructive impact on animal welfare and farm profitability. The goal of the Sanpor project is to explore the pure possibilities of using microorganisms to enhance animal welfare and well-being.

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