Pig Farming in Alternative Systems: Strengths and Challenges in Terms of Animal Welfare, Biosecurity, Animal Health and Pork Safety

Abstract

<jats:p>In pig production, the widespread conventional indoor system with a slatted floor currently dominates. However, this production system is becoming less socially acceptable. In addition to general environmental protection issues, animal welfare, the absence of suffering and distress, and the management of pain also constitute societal concerns. In this context, alternative production systems are gaining ground. Although they are popular with consumers and other citizens, these alternative systems have their critical points. Here, we reviewed the international scientific literature to establish the state of the art of current knowledge regarding welfare, biosecurity, animal health and pork safety in this type of farming system. In general, alternative farms give pigs the opportunity to express a broader range of behaviours than conventional farms. However, the management of feeding, watering, temperature and predators is often more complicated in these outdoor systems. In addition, biosecurity measures seem to be applied less strictly in alternative farms than in conventional farms, especially in free-range systems, where they are more difficult to implement. On the other hand, pigs kept in these farming systems seem to be less affected by respiratory diseases, but parasitism and piglet crushing (in farrowing units) both remain a real challenge. Furthermore, the higher prevalence of many zoonotic pathogens in these farms may represent a risk for human health.</jats:p>

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. is influenced by production system, antimicrobial use, and biosecurity measures on Spanish pig farms

“…Since a clear association between AMR and AMU trends in both microorganisms has been previously described [37][38][39], the most likely explanation for these resistance differences between production systems seems to be the low AMU on organic-extensive farms. Differences in husbandry, such as lower animal density and other risk factors associated with confinement [40], a longer lifespan with less growth pressure, usually slaughter after 14 months of age and a wider behavioral repertoire, which reduces their stress and improves animal welfare, are factors behind this lower AMU.…”

African swine fever and outdoor farming of pigs

“…not raising all pigs in closed buildings and on slatted and/or concrete floors. Delsart et al (2020) note the difficulties in implementing strict biosecurity measures in these farms given the outdoor access that animals have, which increases the likelihood of exposure to pathogens circulating in wildlife. This likelihood is especially high when pigs graze in natural forests, such as in the Mediterranean silvo-pastoral system, or when pigs have access to pastures shared by different pig herds and wild boar.…”

“…To prevent nose‐to‐nose contact between domestic pigs in outdoor pens and wild boar and intrusions of wild boar, fencing is necessary. However, installation and maintenance of appropriate fences is cost‐ and labour‐intensive (Delsart et al., 2020).…”

A case of eagle fern (Pteridium aquilinum) poisoning on a pig farm

“…Today, free-range pig farming represents 5% of pig production in France [1]. There are several challenges, including climate, which may impact feed conversion [2]; contact with the soil, which may promote parasitic infection; potential interactions with wild animals; and potential ingestion of toxic plants [3].…”