Alternatives to castration of piglets without anesthesia in organic farming - Analysis of the effects of alternative methods on consumer and producer acceptance (Alternative piglet castration)
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Project management: Prof. Dr. habil. Hamm, Ulrich; Heid, Astrid; Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute
Project participants: Dipl.Biol. M.Sc.Epid Brenninkmeyer, Christine
Project description:
The aim of the project is to analyze the attitudes of consumers, traders and producers towards piglet castration without anesthesia and possible alternatives with regard to their effects on the quality of pork and the purchasing behavior of consumers. Taking into account the views of all stakeholders, recommendations are to be derived as to which alternatives to castration of piglets without anaesthesia can be sensibly implemented in practice in organic pig farming in Germany. In order to determine the level of information and consumer attitudes towards piglet castration as well as reactions to various information on castration and possible alternatives, the Department of Agricultural and Food Marketing will conduct nine focus group discussions. This will be followed by a Vickrey auction to determine the willingness to pay for the various alternatives. At the same time, the Department of Livestock Ethology and Animal Husbandry will conduct a multi-stage survey of scientists and representatives of production and trade in six European countries on the status quo and prospects regarding the production, processing and marketing of meat from pigs castrated without stunning. The results of the studies are summarized and discussed in workshops with producers and consultants as well as representatives of processing and trading companies.