Research Project

Castration of male piglets in their first week of life without the use of anaesthesia is common practice in German pork production, in conventional as well as in organic farming. One main reason for the castration is the fact that about 50 % of German consumers perceive the typical smell of meat from entire adult male pigs (“boar taint”) as aversive.

In cooperation with the Department of Agricultural and Food Marketing we investigated  which alternatives to this common practice are favourable for the organic consumer and for animal welfare and at the same time feasible for producers and retailers. To achieve this, we reviewed current scientific and practical knowledge and conduct a survey issued to experts in six different European countries.

The resulting knowledge was transferred to and discussed with stakeholders (producers and extensions workers as well as representatives from retail and processing companies) in the course of two workshops. Additionally, a report and publications will assure availability of results to all concerned persons (producers, retailers, consumers, administration, scientists).

• Christine Brenninkmeyer
• Ute Knierim

• Workshop II (5.11.2010): Alternativen zur betäubungslosen Ferkelkastration: Welchen Weg soll der Öko-Landbau gehen?
• Workshop I (29.10.2010): Alternativen zur betäubungslosen Ferkelkastration: Wie sehen Verarbeitung und Handel die Entwicklung im Öko-Landbau?
  
• Workshop "Alternativen zur betäubungslosen Ferkelkastration in der ökologischen Schweinehaltung" in Bonn

• Brenninkmeyer, C., Knierim, U. (2011): Ebermast – so kann es gehen. Bioland 1, 16-17.
• Brenninkmeyer C., Knierim U. (2011): Alternativen zur betäubungslosen Ferkelkastration. Ökologie & Landbau 158, 36-38
• Heid, A., Brenninkmeyer, C., Knierim, U., Hamm, U. (2011) Alternativen zur betäubungslosen Ferkelkastration im ökologischen Landbau - Analyse der Auswirkungen alternativer Verfahren auf die Akzeptanz bei Verbrauchern und Produzenten. Abschlussbericht 08OE025 im Bundesprogramm Ökologischer Landbau. URL:  http://orgprints.org/18652/
• Brenninkmeyer, C., Heid, A., Hamm, U., Knierim, U. (2010): Alternatives to piglet castration without anaesthesia – experiences in organic farming in different European countries and preferences of German consumers, Proc. 24th IGN conference, 03.-05.06.,Tänikon/Aadorf, Switzerland, 12-16
• Final Report

• Ulrich Hamm, Astrid Heid, Dept. of Agricultural and Food Marketing, University of Kassel

Ministry of food, agriculture and consumer protection (BMELV) by the agency of the Federal Institution of agriculture and food (BLE) within the framework of the Federal program for organic agriculture (BÖL)

2008 – 2010