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Publication
Caracterização de explorações de suínos (reprodutoras e engorda) em Portugal, segundo os critérios do protocolo Welfare Quality®
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Ao longo das últimas décadas tem-se verificado uma crescente valorização do bem-estar animal
pela sociedade, em geral, pela comunidade científica e pelos próprios produtores através da
aplicação de métodos e práticas de produção que visam o melhorar do bem-estar animal,
principalmente em explorações intensivas.
Apesar da dificuldade em encontrar um consenso na definição de bem-estar animal,
recentemente a União Europeia, definiu determinados parâmetros com o intuito de serem
aplicados nas explorações. Desta forma, surgiu o protocolo Welfare Quality®, pela necessidade
de um protocolo de avaliação animal. Este protocolo baseia-se na avaliação dos componentes
de bem-estar em explorações e matadouros de suínos.
O protocolo Welfare Quality® obteve financiamento da Comissão Europeia e foi finalizado em
dezembro de 2009.
O presente estudo teve o objetivo de aplicar o protocolo Welfare Quality®, em suiniculturas de
reprodutoras e leitões, bem como em explorações de suínos de engorda em sistema intensivo.
A seleção das explorações não foi aleatória, tendo sido auditadas 26 (81,35%) explorações de
um Grupo empresarial da área da suinicultura e dos seus associados.
As auditorias decorreram entre novembro de 2021 a janeiro 2022. Foram avaliadas 26
explorações, das quais 9 explorações de suínos reprodutoras e 17 explorações suínos de
engorda.
Foram considerados indicadores baseados nos animais, no maneio, nos recursos e na relação
homem/animal. Foram ainda realizadas avaliações qualitativas do comportamento de grupo.
Das explorações avaliadas, 8 obtiveram classificação “Elevada” e 18 obtiveram classificação
“Aceitável”. Não foram detetadas explorações classificadas como “Excelentes” ou “Não
Classificadas”. Os resultados obtidos mostram, de forma geral, que os animais usufruem um
elevado nível de bem-estar elevado.
Over the last few decades, there has been a growing appreciation of animal welfare by society, in general, by the scientific community and by the producers themselves. Through the application of production methods and practices that aim to improve animal welfare, mainly within intensive farms. Despite the difficulty in finding a consensus on the definition of animal welfare, the European Union recently defined certain parameters in order to be applied on farms. Thus, the Welfare Quality® protocol emerged, due to the need for an animal evaluation protocol. This protocol is based on the assessment of welfare components in pig farms and slaughterhouses. The Welfare Quality® protocol was funded by the European Commission and was completed in December 2009. The present study aimed to apply the Welfare Quality® protocol in breeding pigs and piglets, as well as in farms for fattening pigs in an intensive system. The selection of farms was not random, having audited 26 (81.35%) farms from a business group within the pig industry and its associates. The audits took place between November 2021 and January 2022. 26 farms were evaluated, of which there were 9 breeding pig farms and 17 fattening pig farms. Indicators based on animals, management, resources and the human/animal relationship were considered. Qualitative assessments of group behaviour were also taken into account. Of the farms evaluated, 8 were classified as “High” and 18 were classified as “Acceptable”. No farms classified as “Excellent” or “Not Classified” were detected. The results obtained shown that in general the animals enjoy a good level of high welfare.
Over the last few decades, there has been a growing appreciation of animal welfare by society, in general, by the scientific community and by the producers themselves. Through the application of production methods and practices that aim to improve animal welfare, mainly within intensive farms. Despite the difficulty in finding a consensus on the definition of animal welfare, the European Union recently defined certain parameters in order to be applied on farms. Thus, the Welfare Quality® protocol emerged, due to the need for an animal evaluation protocol. This protocol is based on the assessment of welfare components in pig farms and slaughterhouses. The Welfare Quality® protocol was funded by the European Commission and was completed in December 2009. The present study aimed to apply the Welfare Quality® protocol in breeding pigs and piglets, as well as in farms for fattening pigs in an intensive system. The selection of farms was not random, having audited 26 (81.35%) farms from a business group within the pig industry and its associates. The audits took place between November 2021 and January 2022. 26 farms were evaluated, of which there were 9 breeding pig farms and 17 fattening pig farms. Indicators based on animals, management, resources and the human/animal relationship were considered. Qualitative assessments of group behaviour were also taken into account. Of the farms evaluated, 8 were classified as “High” and 18 were classified as “Acceptable”. No farms classified as “Excellent” or “Not Classified” were detected. The results obtained shown that in general the animals enjoy a good level of high welfare.
Description
Keywords
Bem-estar animal Indicadores Produção intensiva Suínos Welfare Quality Animal welfare Indicators Intensive production Swine Welfare Quality