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HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Version 5.1

Click to view all HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

PG.HF.1 Key

Standards

Housing must be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for livestock. (Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains livestock.

PG.HF.1.b

There are no sharp edges, projections or other features presenting a hazard to pigs.

PG.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to livestock.

PG.HF.2

Standards

Housing must be appropriately and effectively ventilated.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.2.a

Ventilation minimises high humidity, build-up of odours and maintains a comfortable temperature.

PG.HF.2.1

Standards

Contingency measures must be put in place during extreme weather* to minimise impact on pig welfare. (NEW)

*unusually hot or cold weather, wide fluctuations in external temperature, snow, severe wet weather, ventilation failure.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.2.1.a

There is a documented Extreme Weather Contingency Plan in place, outlining measures to be taken in relevant situations.

PG.HF.2.1.b

The Plan is implemented when necessary to minimise heat and cold stress as far as reasonably possible.

Extreme Weather Contingency Plan

PG.HF.2.3

Standards

Where there is insufficient self-ventilation and forced or automatic ventilation is used, there must be an alarm system in place to warn of failure. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.2.3.a

Alarm system is tested weekly.

PG.HF.2.3.b

A record is kept of alarm system checks.

Alarm check record

PG.HF.2.4

Standards

Back-up provision must be available in case of ventilation failure.

PG.HF.3

Standards

Floors must be constructed and maintained in a manner that minimises risk of injury to pigs. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.3.a

Flooring is designed and maintained in such a way that pigs do not slip.

PG.HF.3.b

There is evidence of ongoing maintenance of flooring and repairs where needed.

PG.HF.3.1 Key

Standards

Where concrete slatted floors are in use current UK legislation on slot and beam widths must be adhered to. (Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.3.1.a

Class of pig = Piglets Max. permitted tolerance (mm) = 0 Max. width of slots (mm) = 11 Min. beam width (mm) = 50 Class of pig = Weaners Max. permitted tolerance (mm) = +2 Max. width of slots (mm) = 14 Min. beam width (mm) = 50 Class of pig = Rearing & finishing pigs Max. permitted tolerance (mm) = +3 Max. width of slots (mm) = 18 Min. beam width (mm) = 80 Class of pig = Gilts after service, sows Max. permitted tolerance (mm) = +3 Max. width of slots (mm) = 20 Min. beam width (mm) = 80 Class of pig = Boars Max. permitted tolerance (mm) = +3 Max. width of slots (mm) = 20 Min. beam width (mm) = 80

PG.HF.4 Key

Standards

Conditions in housing must be maintained in a manner that ensures livestock are able to keep clean. (Revised & Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.4.a

Floors are well-drained or maintained with dry bedding.

PG.HF.4.b

Pigs have access to a dry lying area.

PG.HF.4.c

Where there is evidence pigs are persistently lying dirty, corrective and preventative measures are being implemented.

PG.HF.4.d

Surfaces within housing are maintained in a good condition and can be cleaned and disinfected.

PG.HF.5

Standards

Lighting in housing must allow normal behaviours, rest and effective inspection of livestock. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.5.a

Adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) is available to enable inspection of stock at any time.

PG.HF.5.b

During light periods, pigs have access to an area that is lit to an intensity of at least 40 lux at pig head height.

PG.HF.5.c

There is a period of at least 8 hours of continuous light per 24 hour period, except where natural daylight period is shorter and where creep lights are used in farrowing pens.

PG.HF.5.d

There is a period of at least 6 hours of continuous darkness per 24 hour period (except where natural daylight period is longer resulting in a shorter natural period of darkness).

PG.HF.5.e

Lighting, lighting fixtures and windows are kept clean and well-maintained.

PG.HF.6 Key

Standards

Feeding herd housing must be of sufficient size (Revised & Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.6.a

The unobstructed floor area available to each growing pig is at least: Average liveweight (kg) = <10, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.15 Average liveweight (kg) = 10.1 - 20, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.20 Average liveweight (kg) = 20.1 - 30, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.30 Average liveweight (kg) = 30.1 - 50, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.40 Average liveweight (kg) = 50.1 - 85, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.55 Average liveweight (kg) = 85.1 - 110, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 0.65 Average liveweight (kg) = >110, Minimum total floor area per pig (m2) = 1.00

PG.HF.6.b

Pigs have enough space to allow all the animals to lie down at the same time.

PG.HF.6.1 Key

Standards

Breeding herd housing must be of sufficient size. (Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.6.1.a

Pens used to house a group of sows/gilts have sides longer than 2.8m, except where there are 6 or fewer sows/gilts in which case the sides are no less than 2.4m in length (see Appendix for further guidance).

PG.HF.6.1.b

The total unobstructed floor area available to each gilt after service and to each sow when gilts and/or sows are kept in groups is at least 1.64m2 and 2.25m2 respectively.

PG.HF.6.1.c

For gilts after service and pregnant sows, a part of the total unobstructed floor area required (at least 0.952 per gilt and at least 1.3m2 per sow) is of continuous solid floor of which a maximum of 15% is reserved for drainage openings.

PG.HF.6.1.d

Adult and working boars are provided with a minimum unobstructed floor area of 6m2 for their own use.

PG.HF.6.1.e

Where boar pens are used for natural service, a minimum of 10m2 floor area is provided and pen design allows adequate movement.

PG.HF.6.2

Standards

Tiered cages are not permitted.

PG.HF.6.3

Standards

Where self-locking individual feeding stalls are used, certain conditions must be met. (NEW)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.6.3.a

They can only be included in usable floor area if they are freely accessible (other than in circumstances outlined in HF.7.1).

PG.HF.6.3.b

There is a separate place where the pigs can lie together as a group.

PG.HF.6.4

Standards

Pigs must always be able to see other pigs, except where the pig is isolated for veterinary reasons, or whilst sows/gilts are in farrowing pens. (NEW)

PG.HF.6.5

Standards

Where a balcony system is installed, it must meet scheme requirements.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.6.5.a

The specification in the relevant Appendix is adhered to.

PG.HF.7

Standards

Livestock must be kept in appropriate groups.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.7.a

Grouped appropriately by size, age, production status.

PG.HF.7.b

Sows and gilts are kept in groups, except during the period between 7 days before farrowing and the day on which weaning is completed.

PG.HF.7.c

Weaners and rearing pigs are kept in stable groups with as little mixing as possible.

PG.HF.7.1 Key

Standards

Dry sows and gilts must not be held in tethers or routinely kept in stalls. (Upgraded)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.7.1.a

Sows and gilts are not kept in stalls, except in the following circumstances and for no longer than 4 hours: - when undergoing examinations, tests, treatments or operations for veterinary purposes - during service or artificial insemination - while being fed - for the purpose of marking, weighing or washing - whilst cleaning accommodation - while waiting to be loaded for transportation

PG.HF.9

Standards

There must be appropriate facilities for livestock to give birth.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.9.a

Farrowing environment is designed such that the sow and her piglets stay clean and dry throughout lactation.

PG.HF.9.1

Standards

Farrowing pens and crates must be of a sufficient length. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.9.1.a

Where a crate is used the sow can stand up and lie down at full length, but excessive movement is prevented.

PG.HF.9.1.b

An unobstructed area behind the sow or gilt is available for farrowing.

PG.HF.9.2

Standards

Sows must not enter farrowing crates more than 7 days prior to their expected farrowing date.

PG.HF.9.3

Standards

It is recommended that where a temporary crating system is used the farrowing crate is opened-up to allow the sow to turn freely as soon as practicable after farrowing. (NEW)

PG.HF.9.4

Standards

Sows must not be kept in farrowing crates once they have finished suckling piglets. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.9.4.a

Sows may only remain confined in a farrowing crate for a maximum of 5 weeks post-farrowing, except where individual nurse sows are required to suckle additional piglets.

PG.HF.9.4.b

Nurse sows may only be kept in a farrowing crate for a maximum of 8 weeks post-farrowing and only where she: - is in suitable body condition - has no shoulder sores - is showing no evidence of lameness

PG.HF.9.5

Standards

Sows and gilts must be given suitable material to satisfy nest-building behaviour in at least the 24 hour period before expected farrowing. (Revised)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.9.5.a

Nesting material is provided regardless of the slurry system.

PG.HF.9.5.b

Nesting material is placed where the sow can easily access it.

PG.HF.9.6

Standards

Indoor loose farrowing pens must be designed appropriately. (New)

How you will be measured

PG.HF.9.6.a

There is sufficient space for the sow to turn around, rise, lie down, nest-build and access feeding and dunging areas without difficulty.

PG.HF.9.6.b

Farrowing rails or other means to protect piglets from crushing are in place.

PG.HF.10

Standards

Facilities must be available on-farm that enable the loading and unloading of livestock with minimal stress and risk of injury to livestock.

How you will be measured

PG.HF.10.a

Adequate lighting to inspect stock at point of loading.

PG.HF.10.b

Structurally sound and stable gates/barriers to prevent livestock escaping.

PG.HF.10.c

Facilities are free from sharp edges or other projections which may cause injury to livestock.

PG.HF.10.d

If loading ramps are used the angle is not steeper than 20 degrees and risk of slipping is minimised.
  • HF.2.1 – Extreme Weather Contingency Plan is required on all units, including indoor and outdoor set-ups. It can be a standalone document or part of the Veterinary Health Plan.
  • HF.4 – In exceptional circumstances, it may be acceptable for there to be no dry lying area temporarily, in order to mitigate heat stress, e.g. when misters/sprinklers are used as part of the Extreme Weather Contingency Plan
  • HF.6.2 – For the purposes of the scheme, a cage is defined as an enclosure of bars and/or wires for keeping animals in. A tiered system, in which pigs are kept in 2 or more levels within the same airspace, is permitted provided the design meets the balcony system specification outlined in HF.6.5 and associated Appendix.
  • HF.9.3 – The Defra Code of Practice states that temporary crating systems should usually be opened within 4 days of farrowing, unless there is an overriding health or welfare reason to alter this. However, further research and commercial experience is needed to identify the optimum time at which to remove confinement and to develop best practice around these systems.
  • HF.9.5 – Acceptable nesting material includes, but is not limited to, wood shavings, shredded newspaper, straw, hessian sack/pieces, natural rope (ideally extending to the floor so the sow can push it along the floor).