The starting point
We have taken as a reference the five freedoms codified in 1979 by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC).
Projects
ANIMAL WELFARE
We work alongside our breeders to ensure a healthy and adequate diet, to cure diseases and to protect from potential physical and mental suffering as well as to guarantee the natural behavior of the sows and hogs.
Our animal welfare program
In addition to the 5 freedoms and animal welfare criteria, we have developed a specific program that guarantees good farming and animal welfare practices, through a controlled and supply chain defined with specific criteria.
The Rovagnati animal welfare supply chain
1. ABSOLUTELY NO USE OF ANTIBIOTICS FROM BIRTH
No antibiotics can be administered to the animal, from birth to slaughter. If animals, for their own protection, require a drug therapy based on antibiotics, this is administered but the pigs are immediately removed from the supply chain.
2. NO USE OF HORMONES
From birth to slaughter no growth hormone can be administered to the animal, not even natural or synthetic hormones or other substances that promote growth, in absolute compliance with EU legislation.
3. NO CASTRATION WITHOUT ANESTHESIA
It is prohibited to perform castration without anesthesia, chemical castration or castration based on the use of chemicals.
4. NO EXTRACTION OF TEETH
It is forbidden to extract teeth from any pigs in the supply chain.
5. NO EAR CUTTING
It is forbidden to cut the ears of the pigs in the supply chain.
6. ONLY PLANT-BASED FEED
Pigs are fed plant-based feed; the use of food of animal origin is prohibited.
7. ENVIRONMENT
The characteristics that breeding environments must have in order to ensure positive living conditions are specified:
- Pigs must always have sufficient quantities of straw and feed available
- It is forbidden to use slatted flooring
- Environmental enrichment
8. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT BEFORE BIRTH
Sows are guaranteed freedom of movement up to seven days before giving birth without using gestation cages.