Link between pigs’ tails and health not so straightforward

Tail biting in pigs is a serious welfare issue with significant economic impact to the producer. Systematic tail docking of all pigs prior to the start of tail biting behaviour is a common production practice in US swine farms to mitigate future welfare and economic consequences of tail biting at the finishing stage. But is the link between health and tail docking so straightforward, asks pig health and welfare expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia. The 2008 EU directive requires producers to not