ABSTRACT

Organic pig production systems, welfare and sustainability Sandra Edwards, University of Newcastle, UK; and Christine Leeb, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria

1 Introduction

2 Standards for organic pig production

3 Current organic production

4 Animal welfare in organic pig production

5 Environmental impact of organic pig production

6 Conclusion

7 Future trends in research

8 Where to look for further information

9 References

Organic production systems may also be referred to as ‘biological’ or ‘ecological’ systems in some countries. On a worldwide basis, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) sets baseline standards for the various national organisations, and monitors national standards to assist with international trade. This organisation has defined Principles of Organic Agriculture (IFOAM, 2005) as:

• The Principle of Health • The Principle of Ecology • The Principle of Fairness • The Principle of Care

Lampkin (1998) presented an elaboration of these principles as:

• To work with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them • To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving

microorganisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals • To maintain and increase the long-term fertility of soils

• To use as far as possible renewable resources in locally organised agricultural systems • To work as much as possible within a closed system with regard to organic matter and

nutrient elements • To give all livestock conditions of life that allow them to perform all aspects of their

innate behaviour • To avoid all forms of pollution that may arise from agricultural techniques • To maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its surroundings,

including the protection of plant and wildlife habitats • To allow agricultural producers an adequate return and satisfaction from their work

including a safe working environment • To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system • To produce food of high nutritional quality in sufficient quantity

From these objectives, it is apparent that organic production is a whole farm commitment with many interacting variables. In discussing organic pig production as an enterprise, its place within the whole farm system is therefore an important issue.