Definitions of Key Terms
- Defines critical terms related to pig welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, transport, and procedures.
- Examples: Ad Libitum feeding, Backyard Piggery, Castration, Euthanasia, Farrowing, Licensed Veterinarian, Resident Veterinarian, Stunning, Tail Docking, Weaning.
Legal Responsibilities
- Compliance with Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (RA 8485).
- Resident Veterinarian required in farms with 300+ sows; smaller farms must have Consulting Veterinarian.
- Prohibited acts include cruel treatment, neglect, improper slaughter, and keeping suffering animals alive.
- Mandatory registration of farms with 20+ sows.
- Castration, tail docking, ear notching, tongue piercing regulated with specified age limits and veterinary supervision.
- Tethering allowed only under strict conditions in backyard farms.
- Feed composition critical and governed by Department of Agriculture.
- Clipping of needle teeth limited to within 2 days from birth with proper equipment.
Indoor Operations Standards
- Mandatory for farms with 20+ sows.
- Pig houses must comply with BAI/PCSP/ITCPH recommendations, located on safe sites, and equipped to prevent fire hazards.
- Hygiene emphasized: washable surfaces, clear drains, regular cleaning and disinfection.
- Floors must be non-slip, allow dunging separation, and suitable for pig sizes.
- Safety measures include removing sharp edges, safe electrical fittings, and secure drug/chemical storage.
- Adequate space, lighting, temperature control, and air quality standards detailed.
- Mechanical equipment regularly checked.
- Strict waste control to prevent health hazards.
Farrowing and Piglet Care
- Farrowing quarters must protect piglets from sow overlay.
- Sows introduced 3-5 days before farrowing.
- Farrowing crates designed for sow comfort and piglet nursing access.
- Limit farrowing crate confinement to 1 month.
- Temperature control critical for piglets; heating required first 7-14 days.
- Weaning at 30 days; early weaning only under special conditions.
- Early access to meal feed recommended.
- Clean water supply from birth.
Growing Pigs and Dry Sows Management
- Adequate floor space for feeding, sleeping, exercising.
- Special attention to group dynamics to prevent bullying.
- Individual feeding stalls or computerized systems recommended.
- Dry lying areas and comfortable bedding important.
- Individual stalls use restricted to max 6 weeks or 60% of reproductive cycle.
- Boar housing standards including size, group compatibility, and proximity to sows.
Feeding
- Feed tailored to growth stage and production.
- Avoid sudden diet changes.
- Use only approved drugs.
- Feeding facilities designed to prevent bullying, ensure feed access.
- Continuous supply of clean water; auto-watering checked regularly.
- Iron supplementation for newborns within 3 days.
- Weaning guidelines strictly adhered to.
- Orphan pig care protocols established.
Routine Procedures
- Humane handling mandatory.
- Castration limited to piglets under 14 days; veterinarian oversight required beyond.
- Identification by ear notching or other methods before 7 days.
- Tusk trimming allowed as precaution in aggressive boars.
- Proper methods for moving and restraining pigs specified.
Control of Vices
- Immediate separation of pigs with biting vices.
- Address nutritional, environmental, and management causes.
Health
- Recognize normal and abnormal behaviors.
- Daily inspections required.
- Prompt veterinary intervention for illness.
- Record-keeping on health and treatment mandatory.
- Humane disposal of incurably sick animals.
- Disease prevention via vaccination, parasite control.
- Notification and cooperation with BAI on epidemic outbreaks.
Emergency Humane Slaughter
- Slaughter performed to induce immediate unconsciousness.
- Methods specified for young and adult pigs.
- Compliance with DA AO 21, series of 1999 obligatory.
Transport
- Special considerations for loading, handling, protection from climatic extremes.
- Restrictions on transport time and conditions.
- Prohibited use of devices causing distress.
- Mandatory permits for inter-region transport.
Penal Provisions
- Violations punished according to applicable laws.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect the rest.
- Prior conflicting rules repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- Regulation effective 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.